1 dead and 10 hurt in van rollover

Posted by the_truth (anonymous) on November 9, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

People, PLEASE slow down during this time of the year! Life isn't worth trying to make up for that 15 minutes you are late. Drive like the road is icy, even if it currently isn't, the next mile could be! Take some time in an empty parking lot to refresh yourself, especially if you have a different vehicle this year! Give yourself extra time to be somewhere. Buckle up, be safe, and take your time.

Posted by 57boy (anonymous) on November 9, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the bridge decks in town were super icy last night.why did'nt they get sanded??????

Posted by the_truth (anonymous) on November 9, 2008 at 10:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What is the passenger capacity of a ford econoline? Seems like a lot of people to be in one vehicle.

Posted by spencer1234 (anonymous) on November 9, 2008 at 10:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This event was a tragic one i was one of the first to arrive at the scene and for all the help with those of us who stopped we may have saved Virginia's life. But like the_truth says people be aware of the road conditions this winter although you may believe you will not get in an accident others might have and you need to be able to react soon enough. So be cautious of others that may haven gotten in to an accident and if you do not feel you should stop and help please do not fly by an accident. There were several cars that nearly flew through the scene and could have hurt several others.

Posted by spencer1234 (anonymous) on November 9, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FYI the_truth For yours and my own curiosity I checked the capacity of an econoline van it says it can hold 8 passengers so yes eleven people in the van was over its capacity limit unless the van had been modified which I do not know

Posted by iowa01 (anonymous) on November 9, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just for clarification: The Econoline passenger van is available in three basic models: the eight-passenger E-150, the 12-passenger E-350 Super Duty and the 15-passenger E-350 Super Duty Extended, (from Ford's website) The article did not state which model the van was. So just because research was done, I also checked for my own curiosity, and found the above statistic,so we can not ASSUME that it was over capacity. This is tragic- everyone please realized that winter is here and we need to be aware of what the road conditions are.

Posted by the_truth (anonymous) on November 10, 2008 at 1:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

iowa01 thanks for the clarification, I was curious. I know there are vans that are modified to carry a large number of passengers, like the blue one that drives the disabled adults to and from work (think that one is the E350). I think, however, you need a chauffer's license to carry more than a certain number of people in any vehicle.

Posted by n0esc (anonymous) on November 10, 2008 at 6:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That limit is 16 or more from the Minnesota Commercial Vehicle Operations website. Thats why most of those vans you see are 15 or less passengers. Many of the local churches and the schools have vans of this size.

Posted by knockerknock (anonymous) on November 10, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by bdp2001 (anonymous) on November 10, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The van was a 15 passenger. Capacity is based on the number of seat belts in a vehicle. When you reach the 16th seat belt, you must have a class B commercial driver's license. In my experience, these types of vans are just like any other vehicle - they are as safe as the person driving them.

Posted by tlnagel16 (anonymous) on November 10, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To put an end to the size of this van, it's a 15 passenger van. My brother in law has driven this van many times. These were some of his closest friends and co-workers. It makes me sad that people are more concerned with the size of the van and whether or not the driver was overloading the van. He was not. He was doing everything by the book. He hit ice and lost control. Let's think about and pray for the people who are still in the hospital fighting for their lives. Let's think about the woman who is in a coma and may never wake up. Let's think about the woman who lost her husband and the children who lost their father. I know that my sister and brother in law are doing all they can for these families right now. For my brother in law, many of these people are like family. My prayers go out to them all.

Posted by Steel_Dragon (anonymous) on November 10, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To the person comenting about the top notch ALMC EMS Crew.

Please be aware that what you are saying is untrue and harmfull to the reputation of ALMC Paramedics. They already had 2 crews on duty that day, one on there way to Rochester with a patient. They do not have any further crews on call. They did try to find off duty Paramedics to respond. However the people that did respond ended up having to help with patients in the ER and on another call in town. Please get your facts straight before slandering a excellent agency. Also, they have a mutual response agreement with other agencies in the area to respond to overwhelming emergencies in the area. As well, ALMC EMS will respond to theirs when needed.

My Prayers go out to the families involved in this horrific accident. I hope that Freeborn County dosen't have to go through a accident like this again.

Thank you to all who where there and did a excelent job taking care of the families. Be safe to you all.

Posted by Serafin (anonymous) on November 10, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Knockerknock~ Maybe you should get your facts straight. There *was* an ALMC crew on scene. (They are listed as Naeve Hospital Ambulace) The other crew was with another critical patient. To suggest that no one responded is reckless and irresponsible. Take into consideration that due to the driving conditions that some were unable to make it there safely. Also, can you tell me that you don't occasionally go to an event out of town if you happen to have a Saturday night off? Like a concert or a wedding? Have you ever taken your spouse out to dinner and had a few glasses of wine? Or what if they are home with small children. Are they supposed to just leave them at home to answer the page?

Posted by rae_rae (anonymous) on November 10, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm I the only person who read the story completely? It clearly states the van was of 15 passenger capicity. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Posted by anasgrammy (anonymous) on November 10, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

good one rae_rae. people only see what they want and must just skim over the information. it is clearly stated in the above article. it was not anyones fault. it was an accident on an icy road. i do believe the roads should have been salted. there were many accidents that night due to icy roads and that does make me wonder why the road crews weren't out. this tragic accident didn't need to happen. my prayers go out to these families.

Posted by inobmaz (anonymous) on November 10, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was on my way home on 35 south at the time of this accident. the roads were in perfect shape until on half mile north of I-90. As soon as i passed I 90 the road went to glare ice. Precip. must have just droped lightly in this area. My guess the driver of the van was unaware of the precipt that came down earlier and hit the bridge deck and spun out. even if the driver did slow down he may been on a strech of I 90 that was dry and in good driving conditions. If the icy road snuck up on me it probably did to this guy driving the van. Also salt trucks just got out to salt the roads after the accident happened. i am guessing the accident happened at the absolut perfect time between the precip coming down and the DOT geting out to work on the roads

Posted by jackson (anonymous) on November 10, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When this story first came out there was no reference to the capacity of the van. The story was added to as details came about. So some readers may not have had the van details when they posted their comments. My prayers go out to all involved.

Posted by 57boy (anonymous) on November 10, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

again...why were'nt the bridge decks & ramps sanded....what the he** do we pay taxes for ????!!!!!!!

Posted by ccvilla (anonymous) on November 10, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To tlnagel16, my prayers for your family and friends.

Posted by Public_Intrest (anonymous) on November 10, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

People , we have to rember that Some One Died Here,At the Time of the Accident There was Calls being Made for Help ,I heard on my radio that I carry as a Public Safety Worker that all People involved , Where being Dispatched to the Seen , As well as being sent to another Emergency , Perhaps if you Think that things went Wrong , get Involved with your local Government , or join your local Fire Dept . Train as we do and see how thing work , I have inside Knowloged of this incident Because I was thier. As Caotic as things where on the scene ,things went well ,Public Works & Public Safety Personal on Scene actual got along and things happened as they where suppose too! So Thank You to all My Coworkers , Public Safety Personal , Public Workers , Paid or Volunteers We did a GOOD Job , We where not worrying about the size of the Van !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My thoughts prayers go out to the Family of The person who Died.

Posted by inobmaz (anonymous) on November 10, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

57 boy

Salt doesn't work if there is no ice, or precip.....so your saying they should salt dry pavement or salt the entire state every day?
what whould that do to your taxes?

Posted by mesg126 (anonymous) on November 10, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i came across this accident and it was awful! i didn't know what was going on and i ended up driving one of the passengers to the er. i got asked if i could drive a woman the there and i couldn't say no when they asked. and yes there was a person dead on the scene and if i wouldn't have stopped i probably would have ran the person right over.. this accident was awful..

and the comments on the van, it was a very big van and it was probably the size where 16 would fit.

Posted by iowa01 (anonymous) on November 11, 2008 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

to mesg126 THANK YOU for going above and beyond and transporting one of the passengers to the area hospital. As a friend of the families involved, it is greatly appreciated and something we can never repay. To all of the responders paid or volunteer THANK YOU I know that the care you provided was top notch, not only for responding to this accident, thank you for the countless efforts you do for your community. I pray for the family of Oscar who lost their dad, brother, and friend. My heart goes out to you, and for those still recovering in Rochester please know you are in my thoughts and prayers!

Posted by detective_kroupa (anonymous) on November 20, 2008 at 12:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mesg126, may I ask the name of the person who asked you to give someone a ride? Because I was one of the first responding LE detectives to this MVA, and I DO NOT recall any emergency personnel asking anyone for transportation of an injured person to the E.R. We had I believe 6 abulances on the scene of the accident from several EMS sources and several emergency vehicles. There would have been no need for you to have transported a person from the accident. If this is true, which I do not believe, thank you for your help that night. But if this is not, I ask you to not take credit in the rescue or participation of a rescue that you were not involved in ever again because a honest man or woman that actually saved a life deserves that credit, not someone trying to make theirself look like a hero on the internet.

Posted by detective_kroupa (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mesg126, one more thing. Both of the females involved in this wreck were taken to St. Mary's in Rochester by transportation of the Mayo One Life Flight (MOLF). If you would like to see the State Patrol report go to this website, https://www.dps.state.mn.us/patrol/media..., when you get to that website go on third line down to the Incident report number (ICR) and type in the number 08103309 and then click find...

Posted by ANGRYRN1 (anonymous) on November 26, 2008 at 8:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To Detective Kroupa- I find it funny that you "claim" to be someone on scene of this accident and are quick to bash mesg126, but yet you lack evidence behind your bashing. To clear some things up...YES mesg126 did take a female into the Emergency Room by private car. This all happened BEFORE any emergency personal arrived on scene. She also should be credited for saving the womans life! Second, you say to get correct info..log onto the State Patrol report. HOWEVER...that report is actually inaccurate as to who was transferred and who wasn't. Don't try to come in acting all high and mighty when you don't know crap!!!
A HUGE THANK YOU to MESG126...sorry such a loser claiming to be a detective had to bash you and call you a liar!!

Posted by detective_kroupa (anonymous) on November 29, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To ANGRYRN1:

The Persons involved were transported by ambulance or by helicopter. And may I ask, how would you know if the MnDSP report is inaccurate or not? So, in your username you claim to be an RN, what is your ID # for the HOS? Like I said bfore, between the three of the helicopters that landed two of the transported were females and were taken to St. Mary's, and those two females were the only females involved in the wreck. NO ONE WAS TAKEN BY A POV TO ALMC, unless it was a first responder which I do not believe any transported any injured! And the first emergency vehicle that showed up, showed up within a two minutes of the dispatch. If someone was taken by POV to the hospital, then we do not have that information. Which would have been with holding information on a case. And let me ask who do you think wrote the damn report fo the MnDPS? And you call me a loser? You try doing m job for one god damn day. Then you would really realize how much you hate people posing trying to make themselves look good so they can get a little attention.

I find it funny that you "claim" to know more about a MVA then someone that responded to it and documented all persons injured and transportation of the persons injured. I have a great deal of evidence that's behind my so called "bashing!"

Go ahead and argue with me...

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WIN!!!