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Two people were injured Friday night after a boat crash on Albert Lea Lake.

Carmelita Simpson, 51, of Albert Lea was taken by ambulance to Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea, and Gary Register, 65, of Albert Lea was taken by Mayo One to St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. Register reportedly had severe injuries, while Simpson’s injuries were not life-threatening.

The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office stated deputies were dispatched to the Frank Hall Park boat landing at 9:55 p.m. after receiving a report of the crash. A press release stated it was believed a boat was going at a fast pace and struck another boat.

When deputies arrived on scene, the two boats involved in the crash were in the middle of the lake.

The Sheriff’s Office stated a 1997 white and red Crestliner, driven by Kelly Gardner, 55, of Albert Lea, was reportedly traveling across Albert Lea Lake when it struck a stationary white 2000 Bennington 2280 RL pontoon, driven by Jeffrey Stewart, 46, of Albert Lea, on the left side of the pontoon.

Both drivers of the boats believed they had all their lights activated on their boats. 

Gardner had parked the boat at the boat landing as the boat was starting to sink after the crash.

Deputies and Albert Lea Fire Department located the pontoon on Albert Lea Lake. Stewart and passenger Luis Rios Perez, 43, of Albert Lea were not injured.

Simpson and Register were listed as passengers in the Crestliner.

Alcohol was not a factor in the crash.