Church youth leader is killed in crash that injures 8 young adults

Andrew Wiersma, 26, a native of Chanhassen, had just returned from a mission trip to Mexico.

By TERRY COLLINS, Star Tribune

Last update: July 28, 2008 - 11:58 PM

A Chanhassen native was killed Sunday in a two-vehicle crash that also injured eight people in southwestern Minnesota.

Andrew Wiersma, 26, was riding in a van that collided with another vehicle at the intersection of County Road 7 and U.S. Hwy. 14 east of Balaton, Minn., in Lyon County, the Minnesota State Patrol said.

Wiersma, a 2006 graduate and former basketball player at Southwest Minnesota State University, was currently a youth leader at Marshall Evangelical Free Church. He recently returned from a week-long mission trip to Mexico, the Marshall Independent said.

Wiersma played basketball at Southwest Minnesota State from 2001-06.

"Andy was a wonderful person and was a willing and committed servant to God," head coach Greg Stemen said Monday in a written statement. "[His] presence in our program touched every teammate he came in contact with, and every coach who was fortunate enough to coach him, in an extremely positive way."

The van driver, Shannon French, 19, of Marshall, was taken to Avera Regional Medical Center in Marshall and later released. Three other passengers, Chad Haugen, 22, of Edmore, N.D., Nathan Flefner, 21, and Amanda Johnson, 21, of Fremont, Neb., a member of Southwest Minnesota State's softball team, were airlifted to Avera McKennen Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D. Johnson, a senior this fall, is a three-time conference pitcher of the year.

All were listed in satisfactory condition.

Another passenger, Tyrae McMurtry, 21, from Wisconsin, was taken to Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, the patrol said. His condition wasn't available Monday evening.

The other vehicle's driver, Brook McKinnis, 21, of St. Paul, was released from Sanford Hospital. Jessie Tschetter, 22, of Harrisburg, S.D., was hospitalized with a broken collar bone. Another passenger, Nichole Luers, 21, was also released from Avera Regional Medical Center, the patrol said.

All occupants in the second vehicle were wearing seat belts, the patrol said. It's unknown whether those in the van were buckled up.

The crash is under investigation. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Staff writer Tim Harlow contributed to this report. Terry Collins • 612-673-1790

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