Teen driver and his mother die in White Bear Township crash

Last update: June 2, 2008 - 7:47 AM

A car and a sport-utility vehicle collided head-on in White Bear Township on Sunday afternoon, killing a teenage driver and his mother.

According to the State Patrol, Jason Thibault, 17, was northbound on Hwy. 61 north of Buffalo Street at 3:40 p.m. when a southbound Oldsmobile driven by Nicole Tavernier, 17, swerved into his lane and the two vehicles collided.

Thibault and his mother, Kathryn A. Thibault, 42, of White Bear Lake were killed, while Tavernier did not have life-threatening injuries.

The crash closed down the highway Sunday afternoon while state troopers investigated.

No further details were immediately available, said State Patrol spokesman Lt. Mark Peterson.

The crash occurred where the highway curves around the east side of Bald Eagle Lake.

Neighbors told KMSP-TV that stretch of road is especially dangerous because the road merges from two lanes to one.

ABBY SIMONS

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