Two people in critical condition after crash on Hwy 63 Friday morning

(ABC 6 News) – Two people are in critical condition after a two-vehicle crash on Highway 63 just north of the Rochester International Airport (RST) early Friday morning.

The Minnesota State Patrol (MSP) said just after 6:30 a.m., a van traveling northbound on Hwy 63 and another vehicle traveling westbound on Quarve Road collided in the intersection. The crash led to a slowdown of traffic for morning commuters.

Kelly Albrecht, a 36-year-old from Stewartville, was driving the van, while 55-year-old Abdul Aybakar of Owatonna was driving the other vehicle. Elija Golden, 27 of Rochester, was a passenger in Aybakar’s vehicle.

Aybakar and Golden suffered life-threatening injuries and are currently being treated at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. Golden was the only person not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Albrecht suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is also at St. Mary’s receiving care.

Multiple Mayo Clinic ambulances and first responders from the Minnesota State Patrol, Rochester Police Department, Rochester Fire Department, and the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

ABC 6 News will provide additional information when it becomes available.