Crashes Reported in the Media

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http://www.startribune.com/local/east/223987311.html



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Woman charged in fatal hit-and-run of 92-year-old motorcyclist in St. Paul

    Article by: NICOLE NORFLEET , Star Tribune
    Updated: September 16, 2013 - 10:43 PM

A Vadnais Heights woman was charged Monday in a hit-and-run accident that left a 92-year-old motorcyclist dead last week.

Autumn Mason, 26, was charged with criminal vehicular homicide in Ramsey County District Court after she allegedly struck lifelong East Sider Roy Kromschroeder with her sport-utility vehicle on Friday morning as he rode his motorcycle through a St. Paul intersection. He died later that day.

According to the charges, Mason, in her 2000 Dodge Durango, stopped and then proceeded east through the four-stop intersection at Prosperity and Ivy avenues when she hit Kromschroeder, who had stopped on his 2003 Honda Road Start motorcycle and then headed north through the intersection.

The accident happened around 7:45 a.m. Mason left the scene after the collision.

The collision caused Kromschroeder’s helmet to fly off and Mason’s front license plate to dislodge. The plate was found on top of the motorcycle.

A witness said it appeared Mason and Kromschroeder arrived at the intersection at the same time. Both waited for the other to go first. Kromschroeder started through and Mason accelerated rapidly at the same time, giving the impression that Mason had become impatient, the witness said.

Another witness who was stopped behind Mason said he wasn’t sure whether Mason had stopped at the sign or had seen the motorcycle. He said Mason stopped her vehicle, got out and checked on Kromschroeder, then quickly drove away.

Mason agreed to have her blood drawn as part of the investigation. On Friday, St. Paul police said there was no information indicating that Mason had possibly been drinking.

Nicole Norfleet • 612-673-4495 Twitter: @stribnorfleet

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http://www.piercecountyherald.com/content/three-flown-regions-following-separate-weekend-cycle-accidents

Three flown to Regions following separate weekend 'cycle accidents

Two people from Prescott and a third individual from Minnesota were air-lifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul following a pair of motorcycle accidents over the weekend.
Jeffrey French, 46, and Jeannie Maurer, 49, both of Prescott, were flown by separate helicopters about 9:30 p.m., Friday, after their northbound motorcyle struck the side of a vehicle which had pulled from the stop sign at CTH E and Hwy. 35 in the town of Oak Grove.
Deputy Jean Spletstoser with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department said in a news release that a vehicle operated by Nathan Warzon, 22, of River Falls, was southbound on CTH E, had made a proper stop but then pulled into the path of the motorcycle as he began his left turn onto Hwy. 35.
Warzon wasn't injured and Spletstoser indicated that alcohol did not appear to have been a factor in the crash.
Deputies were assisted by Prescott fire and ambulance, River Falls paramedics, the State Patrol, North Memorial and Life-Link air ambulance services.
Mark W. Warner, 61, of Belle Plain, Minn., was injured early Saturday afternoon after his motorcycle left CTH A in a curve, about a mile south of Hwy. 10.
Warner was flown directly to Regions with assistance from the Ellsworth Area Ambulance Service and Ellsworth firefighters, according to Deputy Steve Albarado. - See more at: http://www.piercecountyherald.com/content/three-flown-regions-following-separate-weekend-cycle-accidents#sthash.Fu8U1vuX.dpuf

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http://www.startribune.com/local/west/224851722.html

Jogger finds dead motorcyclist near Wirth Lake in Golden Valley

    Article by: PAUL WALSH , Star Tribune
    Updated: September 23, 2013 - 9:38 AM

A Minneapolis woman died in a motorcycle crash in Golden Valley over the weekend, authorities said.

The body of Cheryl L. Kuntz, 51, and her motorcycle was discovered by a jogger about 7:30 a.m. Saturday in the 3300 block of Glenwood Avenue, just east of Wirth Lake, according to the Hennepin County medical examiner’s office and Golden Valley police.

Kuntz suffered head and abdominal injuries less than a mile from her home, according to the medical examiner’s report.

“It appears she had been there for a number of hours prior to discovery,” said Golden Valley Police Chief Stacy Carlson.

Authorities have yet to say what led to the crash.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

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http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/state-and-regional/sun-glare-blamed-in-deadly-dane-county-crash/article_d8941ff6-244b-11e3-8c45-0019bb2963f4.html

Sun glare blamed in deadly Dane County crash

MADISON — Witnesses tell investigators that glare from the sun may have been a factor in a series of crashes that left one woman dead and four others injured in Dane County.

Sheriff’s officials say 58-year-old Jane Sagen of Madison died when she stepped out of her vehicle after a motorcycle hit it on Highway 30 Saturday. Sagen was struck by another vehicle.

The State Journal says that accident led to a series of other crashes involved eight cars, which left four people injured

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http://www.piercecountyherald.com/content/pepin-man-hospitalized-after-mc-crash

Pepin man hospitalized after MC crash

A Pepin man, who took evasive action on his motorcycle to avoid rear-ending a vehicle ahead of him was hospitalized with unknown injuries following a crash in the town of Oak Grove on Saturday evening.
David Dykema, 51, was found lying in the east ditch of Hwy. 35 when deputies arrived shortly after learning of the accident at 8:06 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21st.
Dykema received care from members of the Prescott Ambulance Service prior to being transported to Regina Medical Center in Hastings, Minn.
Sgt. Pete Koch said in a press release that Dykema was northbound on Hwy. 35 near 1180th Street when a vehicle two ahead of him slowed to make a left turn, prompting the vehicle immediately ahead to slow suddenly. Dykema swerved to the right, lost control in loose gravel and was ejected from the motorcycle, which continued another 130 feet before coming to rest.
The crash remains under investigation.
Prescott Fire also assisted deputies at the scene.

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http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/278307/publisher_ID/36/

Motorcycle rider suffers minor injuries after colliding with Duluth police squad
A motorcycle collided with a Duluth police squad car in Lincoln Park on Tuesday.

By: News Tribune staff, Duluth News Tribune

A motorcycle collided with a Duluth police squad car in Lincoln Park on Tuesday.

The biker, who “laid the bike down” in anticipation of impact, suffered minor injuries, police spokesman Jim Hansen said.

Hansen said an officer was leaving the Subway restaurant parking lot at 27th Avenue and Superior Street about 12:30 p.m.

The officer was attempting to make a left turn onto Superior Street to head east and saw a car on his left making a right turn into the Subway lot.

When he continued to attempt the turn, he noticed a motorcycle in the westbound left-hand lane and stopped, Hansen said. The biker anticipated a collision and ditched the motorcycle. It slid into the squad car.

The biker was a 40-year-old male from Esko.

The accident remains under investigation, Hansen said.

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http://www.leadertelegram.com/news/daily_updates/article_03d8be92-246a-11e3-929d-001a4bcf887a.html

Menomonie man dies in motorcycle accident



MENOMONIE — A 22-year-old Menomonie man died in the city while driving his motorcycle Sunday.

Erik B. Asher was operating a black 1999 Kawasaki motorcycle in the 1400 block of North Broadway Street at about 2:30 p.m. when he collided with a black 1999 Dodge Avenger driven by Logan Coppock of Greenville.

Asher was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and died at the scene.

Menomonie police continue to investigate the incident. Neither alcohol nor speed appear to be factors, they said.

The Menomonie Fire Department, the Wisconsin State Patrol and UW-Stout police assisted with the incident.

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http://www.startribune.com/local/north/225494442.html

Man killed in St. Anthony motorcycle crash; rider death toll surpasses all of 2012

    Article by: PAUL WALSH , Star Tribune
    Updated: September 27, 2013 - 8:56 AM



A man died in a motorcycle crash late Thursday in St. Anthony in a year that has now had more riders killed in Minnesota in the first nine months than in all of 2012.

The latest fatality occurred shortly before midnight Thursday, according to police, when a 44-year-old motorcyclist lost control on Kenzie Terrace near Stinson Boulevard. The Twin Cities man’s identity has yet to be released.

The motorcyclist was heading east on Kenzie Terrace and approaching an apartment construction area, where barricades were in place and traffic was reduced to one lane, said police Lt. Jeff Scholl. The rider struck some of the traffic cones, went over the median’s curb and crashed.

Scholl said the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet and doesn’t appear to have been speeding.

There have now been at least 57 fatalities among motorcycle riders this year in Minnesota, according to the state Department of Public Safety. That’s two more than all of last year and the most since 2008, when there were 72.

The all-time high is 121 rider fatalities in 1980.

 

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

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http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/onalaska-man-dies-in-motorcycle-collision/article_dc6339a2-33bc-11e3-92bc-0019bb2963f4.html

Onalaska man dies in motorcycle collision



A 27-year-old Onalaska man died of injuries suffered Saturday when his motorcycle crashed into a car in the town of Onalaska.

Two motorcyclists were traveling east on County Z near County ZN about 3:30 p.m. when one became distracted and veered toward the center line, witnesses told La Crosse County sheriff’s deputies.

The motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet, then braked heavily, which caused him to skid into the other lane, said sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Wierzbicki. He struck a westbound vehicle driven by an 18-year-old town of Onalaska woman.

Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance transported the motorcyclist to Gundersen Health System, where he was pronounced dead, according to the sheriff’s department.

The car driver was treated for minor injuries at the scene but was not taken to the hospital, Wierzbicki said.

Names weren’t re-leased.

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All available information for
incident number 13407515.

    Incident Number:    13407515    Incident Date/Time:    10/7/2013 9:15:00 PM
    MSP District:    2400    Incident Contact:    MN STATE PATROL DISTRICT 2400 - (651) 779-5900
    Number of Individuals:    2       
    Number of Vehicles:    2    
                   
    Location:    HWY 316 @ OTERO AVE    Road Type:    BLACK TOP
    Milepost:    NONE RECORDED    Road Condition:    DRY
    County:    DAKOTA    Number of Lanes:    2
    Crash Type:    HEAD ON    Divided/Undivided:    UNDIVIDED ROADWAY
    Incident Classification:    SERIOUS INJURY    Hazardous Material:    NOT PRESENT
                   
    Assisting Agencies:
       
    DAKOTA COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE
                   
     Person 1:    SCHREIBER, JOSHUA A , 23 , OF CORPUS CHRISTI TX , DRIVER OF VEH 1 , Phys. Cond. : NOT DOCUMENTED
     Person 2:    WOCHNICK, JOHN W , 42 , OF HASTINGS MN , DRIVER OF VEH 2 , Phys. Cond. : SERIOUS INJURY
     

    Vehicle 1:
       1998   MERC SABLE 

    Vehicle 2:
       1980   HONDA MODEL UNKNOWN 
     
          
    IncidentDescription:    VEN 2 WAS NB IN NB LANE OF 316. VEH 1 WAS SB, ATTEMPTING TO PASS MORE THAN 1 VEH IN A NO PASSING ZONE AND STRUCK VEH 2 HEAD ON. DRIVER OF VEH 2 WAS THROWN.
            
    Information Complete:    INFORMATION BELIEVED COMPLETE   
    Last Updated:    10/8/2013 11:04:33 AM
         

Individual Records

    Listed below are the individual records that match the criteria you specified.
    *Estimated age used only when true age is unknown.
    Case Number:    13407515    Seatbelt:    UNKNOWN
    Incident Date/Time:    10/7/2013 9:15:00 PM    Airbag:    UNKNOWN
    Info Released:    NOT RECORDED    Helmet:    YES
                   
    Person ID:    13407515V2P2    Age:    42
    Full Name:    WOCHNICK, JOHN W    Estimated Age:    ACTUAL AGE ABOVE
    Associated Vehicle:    13407515V2    Alcohol in System:    NO ALCOHOL DETECTED
    Role in Crash:    DRIVER    Hospital:    REGIONS , N/A 
    Residence:    HASTINGS , MN , US    Physical Condition:    SERIOUS INJURY 
    Sex:    MALE       
    Relation to Driver:    SELF    Fatal Date:    N/A - NOT RECORDED
                   

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http://www.startribune.com/nation/228510581.html


5 from Pennsylvania die after motorcycles, SUV collide head-on near the Maryland state line

    Article by: Associated Press
    Updated: October 20, 2013 - 4:35 PM



WAYNESBORO, Pa. — A local coroner on Sunday identified five Pennsylvania residents as the victims of a horrific crash involving two motorcycles and an SUV near the Maryland state line.

All four people traveling on the motorcycles died, as did Marjorie Smith, 68, of Johnstown, who was a passenger in the SUV, according to Franklin County coroner Jeffrey Conner.

The motorcyclists were Douglas Hoffer Jr., 32, of Quarryville; Colleen Nesbitt, 27, of Gap; and David Russell, 67, and Michelle Russell, 53, both of Mount Joy.

The crash happened Saturday afternoon in the south-central Pennsylvania community of Washington Township, not far from Waynesboro.

According to Conner, the northbound SUV crossed the center line on Fort Ritchie Access Road for unknown reasons and hit the motorcycle driven by Hoffer. The SUV then spun around and was broadsided by the Russells' bike, he said in a statement.

Conner would not comment on the relationships among the victims. Washington Township police released no further information about the accident on Sunday.

Township Supervisor Elaine Gladhill told The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown, Md., that she went to the scene because of the high number of fatalities to support emergency workers. Grief counselors were on hand, she said.

"The scene was horrific," said Gladhill. "It's probably the worst single accident with that many fatalities in the township."

Gladhill did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press on Sunday.

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All available information for
incident number 13104381.

    Incident Number:    13104381    Incident Date/Time:    11/3/2013 2:48:00 PM
    MSP District:    2100    Incident Contact:    MN STATE PATROL DISTRICT 2100 - (507) 285-7406
    Number of Individuals:    1       
    Number of Vehicles:    1    
                   
    Location:    NB HWY 52 JSO I90    Road Type:    CONCRETE
    Milepost:    47    Road Condition:    DRY
    County:    OLMSTED    Number of Lanes:    4
    Crash Type:    OTHER    Divided/Undivided:    UNDIVIDED ROADWAY
    Incident Classification:    PERSONAL INJURY    Hazardous Material:    NOT PRESENT
                   
    Assisting Agencies:
       
    OLMSTED COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE
                   
     Person 1:    MAYMI-WILSON, MARIELSA , 44 , OF ROCHESTER MN , DRIVER OF VEH 1 , Phys. Cond. : INJURY - NON LIFE THREATENING
     

    Vehicle 1:
       2007   HONDA ROAD-STRT 
     
          
    IncidentDescription:    MC WAS TRAVELLING NB HWY 52 WHEN SHE LAID HER BIKE DOWN TO AVOID A COLLISION.
            
    Information Complete:    INFORMATION BELIEVED COMPLETE   
    Last Updated:    11/3/2013 4:25:57 PM

Individual Records

    Listed below are the individual records that match the criteria you specified.
    *Estimated age used only when true age is unknown.
    Case Number:    13104381    Seatbelt:    N/A
    Incident Date/Time:    11/3/2013 2:48:00 PM    Airbag:    N/A
    Info Released:    NOT RECORDED    Helmet:    YES
                   
    Person ID:    13104381V1P1    Age:    44
    Full Name:    MAYMI-WILSON, MARIELSA    Estimated Age:    ACTUAL AGE ABOVE
    Associated Vehicle:    13104381V1    Alcohol in System:    NO ALCOHOL DETECTED
    Role in Crash:    DRIVER    Hospital:    ST MARYS HOSPITAL , ROCHESTER, MN 
    Residence:    ROCHESTER , MN , USA    Physical Condition:    INJURY - NON LIFE THREATENING 
    Sex:    FEMALE       
    Relation to Driver:    SELF    Fatal Date:    N/A - NOT RECORDED

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All available information for
incident number 13104379.

    Incident Number:    13104379    Incident Date/Time:    11/3/2013 1:45:00 PM
    MSP District:    2100    Incident Contact:    MN STATE PATROL DISTRICT 2100 - (507) 285-7406
    Number of Individuals:    2       
    Number of Vehicles:    2    
                   
    Location:    HWY 30 JWO RUSHFORD    Road Type:    CONCRETE
    Milepost:    263    Road Condition:    DRY
    County:    FILLMORE    Number of Lanes:    2
    Crash Type:    SIDESWIPE    Divided/Undivided:    UNDIVIDED ROADWAY
    Incident Classification:    PERSONAL INJURY    Hazardous Material:    NOT PRESENT
                   
    Assisting Agencies:
       
    FILLMORE COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE
    RUSHFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
                   
     Person 1:    JOHNSON, AMANDA J , 22 , OF RUSHFORD MN , DRIVER OF VEH 2 , Phys. Cond. : NO APPARENT INJURY
     Person 2:    KERNS, JARED T , 36 , OF ROLLINGSTONE MN , DRIVER OF VEH 1 , Phys. Cond. : INJURY - NON LIFE THREATENING
     

    Vehicle 1:
       2006   HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD-STRT 

    Vehicle 2:
       2002   OLDSMOBILE ALERO 
     
          
    IncidentDescription:    VEH 1 WAS WB ON HWY 30 TURNING LEFT. VEH 2 WAS EB ON HWY 30 WHEN THEY COLLIDED.
            
    Information Complete:    INFORMATION BELIEVED COMPLETE   
    Last Updated:    11/3/2013 3:48:36 PM
         
Individual Records

    Listed below are the individual records that match the criteria you specified.
    *Estimated age used only when true age is unknown.
    Case Number:    13104379    Seatbelt:    YES
    Incident Date/Time:    11/3/2013 1:45:00 PM    Airbag:    NONE OR NOT DEPLOYED
    Info Released:    NOT RECORDED    Helmet:    N/A
                   
    Person ID:    13104379V1P1    Age:    22
    Full Name:    JOHNSON, AMANDA J    Estimated Age:    ACTUAL AGE ABOVE
    Associated Vehicle:    13104379V2    Alcohol in System:    NO ALCOHOL DETECTED
    Role in Crash:    DRIVER    Hospital:    HOSPITAL NOT RECORDED , N/A 
    Residence:    RUSHFORD , MN , USA    Physical Condition:    NO APPARENT INJURY 
    Sex:    FEMALE       
    Relation to Driver:    SELF    Fatal Date:    N/A - NOT RECORDED
                   

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http://mankatofreepress.com/local/x934967214/Charges-filed-in-August-motorcycle-crash

Charges filed in August motorcycle crash

Driver allegedly left without helping injured motorcyclist

By Dan Nienaber dnienaber@mankatofreepress.com

MANKATO — An August crash involving a motorcycle and a vehicle pulling a snowmobile trailer has resulted in criminal charges.

Mankato police responded to a crash at the intersection of Stadium Road and Warren Street at about 7:20 p.m. Aug. 22. They found two motorcycles and an injured man. Witnesses approached one officer and said another vehicle involved in the crash was parked in the University Square mall.

While officers were looking at that vehicle and its large trailer, 50-year-old Daniel Karl Strand of Mapleton walked up and put a key in the driver's side door. He looked at one officer and waved, then looked toward another officer and asked what was happening, according to a criminal complaint filed in Blue Earth County District Court.

When that officer asked Strand about the motorcycle that was hit, Strand said the motorcycle had crashed into his vehicle. He said he was turning into the parking lot to go to a business in the mall when the motorcycle crashed. He said he checked on the driver, but he was standing up and looked fine so he didn't think he had to do anything because the motorcycle crashed into him.

Another motorcyclist who was traveling with the victim said the lights on Strand's trailer weren't working. He said Strand had pulled into the left lane, so he assumed Strand would be turning left. But Strand ended up turning right and into the path of the motorcycles, that rider said. He and the victim are identified only with initials in the criminal complaint.

Other witnesses told officers Strand went directly into the mall parking lot, got out of his vehicle and entered the business without checking on the injured man. An officer also checked the connector that would powered Strand's trailer lights and it wasn't connected to the lights on the vehicle. Once it was connected, the brake and left-turn lights worked, but the right-turn light didn't work, the complaint said.

The victim was taken to the hospital to be treated for a cut on his head and scrapes and bruises on his right leg.

Strand is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 14 for a felony charge and a gross misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of a crash.

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Potholes are going to be a big challenge this Spring.  Be careful!

http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/249682451.html

Motorcyclist hits pothole on I-394, thrown to his death

    Article by: TIM HARLOW and PAUL WALSH , Star Tribune staff writers
    Updated: March 12, 2014 - 8:02 AM


Anand Baskaran, 30, of the Long Island community of East Northport, N.Y., hit the pothole along eastbound Interstate 394 near Theodore Wirth Parkway about 9:50 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the State Patrol.

Baskaran was wearing a helmet.

While the patrol says Baskaran is from New York, his LinkedIn page and other professional web profiles note employment with Maplewood-based 3M. Also, state records show a couple of minor traffic violations months apart since late 2012 in the Twin Cities area.

I-394 in both directions between downtown Minneapolis and Hwy. 100 was particularly vulnerable this winter to potholes because a thin asphalt overlay was peeling away. Crews have been patching up spots in recent weeks.

Originally built as a concrete freeway, I-394 drew noise complaints from abutting Minneapolis neighborhoods.

The Legislature in the 1990s directed the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to put down an asphalt mixture with a higher friction resistance to reduce tire noise, a state pavement engineer said in January.

The first layer was put down in 1996. When that wore out in 2004, MnDOT replaced it with a material that was stickier and gooier, allowing the agency to put on a thinner layer.

MnDOT said it has been that layer, scheduled to be replaced in 2015, that has been peeling away and creating the gaping craters.