After the tragic Memorial Day weekend, the first full weekend of June is also seeing above average deaths on Minnesota roads. So far there have been 2 motorcycle deaths, a pedestrian killed and 2 more drivers from car collisions. The State Police continue to look into the reason for these increase losses.
In the two motorcycle collisions, both involved the riders being thrown from their bikes after cars turned in front of them. The Pedestrian was standing next to a stalled car on Highway 94 and is yet another example of the many ways pedestrians are in danger on the roads as Injuryboard member Steve Lombardi has been chronicling. The auto deaths involved high speeds and cars that were rolled. One of the vehicles was hit by a semi.
These numbers are particularly unfortunate considering that overall the number of highway deaths has been down for 2009. But, considering that speed, alcohol, lack of seat belts, and in two of the cases a motorcycle was involved, most of the deaths involve factors where the numbers continue to rise.
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 recent article for the Minnesota Lawyers Trial magazine. I was interviewed last year on the same topic. In all of these cases sorrow for the families of those involved goes out.
