Avon Man Charged After Crash That Injured Pregnant Woman, Killed Unborn Child

(Learfield News/St. Cloud, MN) – A 32-year-old Avon man is facing criminal vehicular operation charges in relation to a head-on crash that critically injured a pregnant woman and resulted in the loss of her unborn baby.

St. Cloud police responded around 1 p.m. Friday to an intersection. Officers found both vehicles in a snowbank, with 34-year-old Nastaho Amare trapped inside her minivan as the front caught fire.

Witnesses told officers the other driver, Christopher Otte, was traveling “very fast” before the collision.

Officials say Otte showed signs of intoxication and had a preliminary breath test result of .201, more than twice the legal limit.

Prosecutors say he later told officers, “It was my fault,” and admitted drinking at a sports bar before driving.

The woman remains hospitalized in critical condition and underwent surgery for multiple injuries.