There have been 10 reported deaths on Minnesota roads this weekend. This is more than past 2010 weekends and well above the usual weekend average of two to three. Hopefully, increased police presence and discussion about this increase will save some lives over the next couple of days.
The 10 people died in three separate crashes between 6 a.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Sunday. No seat belts and teenagers played a role in several of them.
- The deadliest collision involved a sports utility van that crossed the center line and hit a car head on in Cambridge, Isanti county that killed six people. Four of the people were teenagers.
- Another teen was killed in Onamia when she pulled out in front of a SUV.
- In Winona three teenage girls were killed when the truck they were in rolled over and they were thrown out. they all attended Lewiston-Altura High School.
Along with the ten, at least 6 others were severely injured. .
These numbers are particularly unfortunate considering that overall the number of highway deaths has been down again from 2009. But, considering that speed, , lack of seat belts and large SUV/Trucks was involved, most of the deaths involve factors where the numbers have not dropped.
As with any death in a Minnesota motor vehicle collision, there are a number of issues that will need to be reviewed. My partner, Joe Crumley, addressed this topic in a article for the Minnesota Lawyers Trial magazine. I was interviewed on the same topic. In all of these cases sorrow for the families of those involved goes out.
