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photo by Sarah Stultz
In this photo taken in the days following the collision, photos, flowers and other memorabilia in memory of 25-year-old Kelly Jo Abrego sat by the area of washed out County Road 34 where the incident occurred June 29.
Charges filed in County 34 washout case
Driver accused of criminal vehicular homicide
Published Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The driver of a 2003 Chevy Avalanche that crashed into a washout on Freeborn County Road 34 on the evening of June 29 faces 15 felony counts stemming from that incident in which two passengers died. The charges, filed Tuesday in Freeborn County District Court, include criminal vehicular homicide.
Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson said Charles Kenneth Dennison, 20, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.16 when measured via blood sample two hours later and said everyone in the sport-utility truck was under the influence of alcohol — primarily beer.
Dennison, commonly called Kenny, was the driver, the court papers state. He resides at 914 Lincoln Ave. in Albert Lea, the papers say. They say Nathan Buchli was the front-seat passenger and the four people in the back seat were Langdon Bachtle, Kelly Jo Abrego, Kelly John Pechumer and Brock Dempewolf. Abrego and Pechumer died as a result of injuries sustained in the wreck. The others suffered injuries. Abrego is Dennison’s aunt and her three children are his cousins.
A drainage ditch had washed out County 34 in Oakland Township in eastern Freeborn County on the night of June 12 during a thunderstorm that brought floods. That prompted the Freeborn County Highway Department to erect several barriers across the roadway on each side of the washout that said “Road Closed.” Each row of barriers were linked together with orange netting. Many people in Albert Lea have wondered why Dennison allegedly went around the road block.
Craig said the group on June 29 had driven a direct route from Myrtle to Lyle for a town festival and were drinking at the liquor store, which is also a saloon. They left after a minor skirmish. Craig said Dennison took a roundabout way of returning to Myrtle and it remains unknown why. They were heading southbound on County 34 and drove around the right side of the road block. Whether he had to leave the roadway and go on the shoulder or ditch to go around remains unknown but Craig said he definitely did not stop to move the barriers. He said Dennison didn’t seem to slow down when passing the barriers, which was 778 feet north of the washout.
The report says when Freeborn County sheriff’s deputies interviewed Dempewolf and Buchli, they recalled seeing the barricade.
“They recall the barriers and then bang,” Craig said.
Bachtle did not remember the barriers but also told investigators he doesn’t recall the collision either. He only remembers waking up in the hospital.
The truck left the roadway into the washout, hitting the embankment on the south side. It came to a rest facing south, with its back resting on an exposed culvert and its front on a part of the road left by the washout. The Minnesota State Patrol analyzed a sensing module — sort of a “black box” for cars — and determined the Chevy Avalanche was going faster than 40 mph immediately prior to crashing.
“The vehicle appeared to have been traveling at this speed prior to the collision, which was characterized to be an almost perfect head-on crash,” the report states.
Deputies Darin Hable and Tim Bennett responded. They noticed orange netting had been moved and was on the ground, making it possible for an automobile to drive on the shoulder to go around the barriers. They discovered two automobiles in the washout. The other was a two-door pickup driven by a first responder attempting to get to the scene of the crash from the other direction.
There are mainly five charges, but each are filed in three ways — a typical way of prosecuting cases relating to drunken driving because of varying methods to prove drunkenness, Nelson said. Vehicular homicide accounts for six of the 15 charges, three counts for Abrego and three for Pechumer. One conviction of vehicular homicide carries a maximum of 10 years imprisonment and a $20,000 fine. The other nine charges are criminal vehicular operation causing substantial bodily harm, three counts for each of the three injured passengers. A single conviction of criminal vehicular operation carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
If he is convicted on three counts of criminal vehicular operation and two counts of criminal vehicular homicide, he potentially could face 29 years in prison and a $70,000 fine.
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Comments
Posted by the_truth (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If Dennison was drinking at that saloon, shouldn't the saloon be brought up on charges of serving minors?
Posted by kona (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this is a sad situation no matter how you look at it. my prayers go out to the driver and all of those who love him and the 2 who were lost.
Posted by abrebr (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
that's some bull right there... The county should have had checked the road before all this even happen..
Kenny i love you and be strong.. My thoughts and prayers are with my family.. I love yall
Posted by stickfigure (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 8:34 p.m.
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Posted by observer (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 8:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The county did check the road, hence the barricades.
Posted by thebuzz (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kenny my wishes go out to you and your family. I know your strong and you'll make it through this..to everyone else thats going to write something rude about the family involed keep it to yourself, they don't need to read or hear about any of that crap.again my prayers go out to the family..R.I.P. Kelly Jo
Posted by Iminterested (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kenny, like i've told ya, I love ya like a brother and I'm always here for ya. Kristy and Sandy, I'm sorry that you have to go through all of this. Stickfigure and people like you, Kenny was family with the deceased. The family is sick of reading comments like yours and so am I. Take a look at yourselves cause you're not perfect either. Everyone makes mistakes. Remember that. Don't you dare judge him cause you're not god.
Posted by bartman503 (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
you drink and drive you die
Posted by mikecarstens (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The road still has not been repaired. A temporary repair would take about 2 days and cost about $5000 -(totally unscientific methods were used in these calculations).
This road could have been repaired before these people were injured in it.
Was the first responder who drove into it also drunk? Doubtful.
I hope the county board doesn't wait until they can budget the entire $500,000 plus for the amazing repair that they have in mind before they do something about it.
Posted by stickfigure (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 10:34 p.m.
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Posted by abrebr (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks to the ones that really care, For the ones that don't why don't you shut it.. My family does not need to see those mean things..
Kenny is a great kid and he made a mistake, everyone makes mistakes..
But my opinion is they should have got the money somewhere and fixed the road right after it happen to the first guy.
And with the drinking and driving thing, maybe you should take a look at the bar.. They served him beer and he is only 20...
I love all my family and i am here if anyone needs me.
Yall all be strong. I love you Kenny
R.I.P. Kelly Jo Abrego
Love Brittany Abrego
Posted by observer (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 10:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I do not know of any bar or liquor establishment that forces anyone to drink, they should have carded him and not allowed it Yes(I agree the bar should be brought up on charges as well), but the decision to drink is ultimately up to the individual. We all make mistakes and we all have to face the consequences of those mistakes, and it is his family and friends that will be able to help him get through this very tough time in life.
Posted by stickfigure (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 10:53 p.m.
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Posted by professional (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 11:32 p.m.
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Posted by Iminterested (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 11:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow. I wish I was man enough like stickfigure to rub someones nose in it months later when they feel bad enough the way it is. Your mama sure raised you right. She should be proud..
Posted by leeleebelle (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 1:03 a.m.
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Posted by wingo (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 2:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and prayers are the with the families in this awful tragedy. All I will say is: Yes, what Kenny did was not right, the bar shouldn't have served him, the others should have refused to ride with him, etc., etc. But for the Grace of God go I.
Posted by tengstrom (Tim Engstrom) on September 3, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is the editor. Please everyone remember this is a story about the county attorney's charges. It does not mean the driver has been proven drunk in a court of law. Comment all you want, but kindly word your comments so they reflect that these are charges, not convictions. Thank you.
Posted by observer (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Stories like this will always raise a debate, and I am under the immpresion that you have this type of forum to allow that. It is not good journalism to remove comments that are not harmful to the debate, I have seen some of the comments that you have removed. Shame on the tribune, maybe you could put your journalism watchdog eye on the Good Sam facility and not let that story die.
Posted by purduekelli (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He has not been convicted yet - remember that. These are simply charges that could be brought on. My thoughts are with him and his family - he is TWENTY years old - he has a whole life ahead of him and has to live with the memories of his loved ones each and every day. I'm sure that horrific accident plays out in his head every second of every day. Right now he needs encouragement to be strong and make good choices. It was an unfortunate accident, and for the people making harsh comments - don't tell me you've never had a drink and then decided to drive!
Posted by observer (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have made that terrible decision to drink and drive, and got caught. I paid my debt to the judicial system, right down to the time in jail. I asked for no favors, I was guilty and plead that way, all most are saying is if you do the crime you do the time. It is very unfortunate that it had to happen, we all can make better choices in life, but thats what makes us human.
Posted by jed (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So sad, so sad. This whole story is so sad. I looked up Dennison's driving record and found that he had a DWI in April 2007,
http://pa.courts.state.mn.us/CaseDetail....
He was not even suppose to be around boose, not in a liquor store, not in a bar. He should of had a clue. He is the one that has to live with this for the rest of his life. I'm sure if he would have known the outcome of this he would not have done it, but we have to learn our lessons and have consequences for our actions. Give him a year in the county jail with work release to pay for his stay, fine the hell out of him, throw an ankle bracelet on him for 10 years and may be it will not happen again.
Let us all learn from this and may god be with all who is involved.
Posted by stickfigure (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 9:16 a.m.
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Posted by observer (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He was only sentenced to 6 months supervised probation and was off that, but was arrested again in December of 07 for underage drinking and given a year of unsupervised probation. This is what I interpreted from the court records, one DWI and charged for another 14 months later, not good choices.
Posted by janis (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Okay- drinking and driving is a terribily bad decision. But every person in the truck also made the same bad decision to drink and ride. When is this world going to hold each individual accountable for their own actions. It seems to always be some one elses fault. I am pretty sure since all of this guys passengers were grown adults they all knew the chance they were taking and made that decision solely on their own to get in the car with someone they obviously knew was drinking. If the justice system was to throw this kid in jail for the next 10 to 20 years what will that change? Will that bring back the two people that were killed? Unfortunately no. I think it is terrible this happened, but this kid has to live with his choice the rest of his life along with all of the other grown adults choices. And now the justice system wants to take away a chunck of his life and possibily turn him into to an actual criminal if he does time in prison. Doing time in prison changes a man. Theres a possibility that it will harden him and learn to be a criminal. My heart goes out to every one involved. What a tragedy and now this family keeps having to live this tragedy with these charges now. Also what I am wondering- if the road was blocked off correctly then how did this kid go around the barricades with out even slowing down and also if the barricades were so correctly applied then how did the first reponder also end up in the wash out? If the county attorney wants to point fingers maybe the he should start pointing to the people responsible for those barricades.
Posted by realtree (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 10:32 a.m.
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Posted by ALMAB (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
all you people that have negative comments about my nephew should shut the .... up you don,t know him and you don,t know what happened that night. all you know is what you read in the newspaper.kenny would never hurt anyone especiallya family member. he will have to live with this the rest of his life that in itself is more punishment than any prison stay.kenny keep your head held high and believe in god because he will walk you through this. i love all of you. you are in my prayers,your aunt alma from mo.
Posted by why (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The finger pointing is getting ridiculous. I mean what was the county thinking, they should have had neon signs! The bar should have enough staffing to watch and make sure that people weren’t handing out beers to underage people. And wow maybe the manufactures of that truck should have built a safer truck with seating for four in the back, or a breathalyzer built in so the truck wouldn’t start if the driver had been drinking.
Kenny knew he shouldn’t drink and drive, or wait, maybe he didn’t?! Who can we blame that on?
Enough is enough finger pointing. Kenny drove , possibly under the influence of alcohol, went past barricades, and now two people are dead. It’s just that…..Two people died as a result of his driving, hence vehicular homicide. It by no means makes him a horrible person. Just that he messed up and He is going to live with this for the rest of his life in more than one way. I don’t believe he should get the full sentence, and he most likely won’t. But you can’t just sweep it under the rug either. If I was backing out of my drive and hit your child, I would be at fault cause I didn’t look hard enough. I would have to live with it for the rest of my life but should also be charged for vehicular homicide. Accident, mistake, whatever you would like to call it I would have been responsible for it.
I am not a cold hearted person, and I do know many family and friends of the parties involved. I have been praying that you all get the healing you need. Now is the time to be consoling Kenny and telling him, yes YOU made a mistake but everyone still loves you and will stand beside you. And hope Kenny will come out of the legal system and make an even better person of himself.
Kenny never ment to hurt anyone and everyone knows that, but he did hurt many, and now he needs the families support to carry on. If the family tells him he hasn't done anything wrong he will never except that he did, and will never get to truely repent for this.
Posted by janis (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 11:33 a.m.
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Posted by Kimber306 (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with "why" there is some good points acknowledge in this statement. I am praying for all the family's dealing with this misfortune. I hope all involved will become better people from this...
Posted by Kimber306 (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.'
So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice:
Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?
A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.
Posted by janis (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have been in that kind of situation. I did go out with friends and we were drinking and driving. I was a passenger in the back seat of a car and my friend drove off a curve at about 90 miles an hour. I was 19 at the time and even then at such a young age, I never once blamed my friend for me being in the accident and getting badly hurt. Why? Because I was an adult that was able to make my own decisions. It was my decision to get into the back seat when I knew full well my friend was drunk. I could have said no and called someone to come get me but I as an adult made the decision on my own free will to get into that car. I now am the designated driver anytime I go out with my friends. If I want to drink I simply stay home and drink. That is a decision I make now as an adult. So to Virginian I am sorry you have had a tragedy in your life, obviously but you need to stop blaming everyone else. If you are an adult that is able to make your own decisions then you need to take the responsibility of those decisions along with consequences. You are holding this Kenny solely responsible well unless he forced the other 5 people into his truck you really can not hold him solely responsible. Yes he is responsible for driving drunk but he did not intentionally go out drunk driving in order to kill two people. The other 5 people are just as guilty as he is because they knew he was driving and did not stop him and elected to ride in his car while he was drinking.So no they were not innocent bystanders like some of you make them out to be. Sadly, two people paid with their lives because of the decisions they made. My heart goes out to all involved!
Posted by billpech (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As Kelly P. father, I do grieve over the loss of my son. I talked with him a week before the incident when his sister was getting remarried in Green Isle.
I use the church pastor here in Berkeley Springs, WV and the Hospise Society here to handle the grief. I was at Kelly's side when he was declared dead. BUT, he had a donor card signed and his mother and I agreed to honor his wish.
Five people have my son living in them. His body may be dead but Kelly lives in five people happy to have his organs.
In honor of Kelly, my license is now changed in regard his belief,
May both Kelly's live forever in thoughts.
Posted by simpson (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
kenny and family, keep your heads up and stay strong, your family from MO. loves you very much.
Kenny, don't let negative comments get to you, people can say what they want and when they want, and we all know that it doesn't matter what people think of us, it is what we think of ourselves. I know; and you know; that you are a good person with a big heart. This is a time when you look to your family and friends for comfort and please be assured that you can count on us.
If you should feel a light touch when your alone it is a loved one embracing you letting you know that we care. Always remember that we love and support you. Aunt Tina
Posted by sabby (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
kenny your a good person ever thing will be ok and your friends are here for you
Posted by menace56 (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It goes without saying that when you operate a motor vehicle and you carry passengers, you are responsible for their safety. Don't condemn those involved, instead use this incident to avoid getting yourself into a similar situation.
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
albertleab,
Can't you word things a little better than that? It's hard when loved ones are left behind, sounds like he is trying hard to make the best of his sons generous gift. We all need to learn a little humbleness, I have a relative that was hit by a drunk driver, he is a quadrophlegic (might not be spelled right), he has forgiven that person that hit him. That to me is a BIG MAN! God Bless Everyone Involved in this tragedy. I think enough has been written and said, it's time to let the courts do there job. Although, with so many judges & juries on this comment board, will there be a fair trial if it goes that far.
Posted by Austin (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Regardless of who is to blame, the law was broken. It doesn't matter who was driving or who is or isn't holding a grudge. The law is the law and the law was broken and Kenny should be held responsible. It was a dumb mistake and that mistake took two lives away forever. You can't just say oops. Just because some of the family members don't hold it against him does not by any means mean he should not be held accountable for breaking the law. I wonder if his family would be so forgiving if it wasn't one of his relatives that he killed or if they would be as forgiving to a non family member who's drunk driving killed one of their family members.
Posted by stickfigure (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 8:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Austin--You hit the nail right on the head! We all know that they would not be so forgiving. And the law is the law. Kenny broke the law and he needs to have consequences for that. Wingo-- It does take a big man to forgive a person of such a horrific thing, but doesn't change the fact of what Kenny did, and it looks like the family has forgiven Kenny. Now Kenny needs consequences so he will not make another 'mistake' with alcohol involved.
Posted by simpson (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
your absolutely right, his family has forgiven him and will stand by him in every way, thats what families do.(right or wrong)
Kenny is not trying to avoid punishment or playdown this tragedy.Kenny will face whatever is coming his way, but lets let the courts decide that, anything anybody has to say is just opinions of that person and in the end it doesn't matter who said what. Lets let the authorities do there job and not the public.......
Posted by realtree (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
typical red star tribune deleting comments! you should not have a post comments section then! I ask again was the road sealed off properly?
Posted by observer (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Orange baricades, road closed and a lot of publicity from a previous accident, quit trying to accuse someone else for an individuals mistakes.
Posted by realtree (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
observer not trying to accuse! I posted before and it was removed! I just asked did we need to lose 2 more lives after the first one was lost? and was the proper care taken by the county to assure this was safe? and this red star tribune deleted it. I did not want to rewrite the whole thing again!!! sorry if this paper does not want to see the true facts
Posted by janis (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 10:03 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by nesaajr (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Regardless of the accident and speaking to the County's duty (Public Works / Engineers office) for the roadway with Road Barricades & Signs.
They are only required to barricade or block the roadway off to stop a reasonable person from entering the area. The question then is what is reasonable?
Maintenance of Traffic Control devices is another story and usually defined for Construction Zones. Whereas in a Construction Zone, Traffic Control devices are to be inspected/checked and maintained once every 24-hours.
This would be the Counties responsibility unless they had contracted with a Contractor to provide and maintain these devices (Barricades & Signs).
See the Mn/DOT Field Manual for Temporary Traffic Control Zone Layouts:
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/trafficeng/ot...
To further research Traffic Control requirements see the MN-MUTCD link:
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/trafficeng/ot...
This whole issue of Traffic Control devices get debated all of the time much to do with the lack of oversight and enforcement by the Government Agency and/or the Contractor's own negligence. This we see all of the time as we pass Road Construction Zones.
Yes, this is a complex issue and I would bet your Freeborn County Engineer, Ms. Miller has had to answer some tough questions from the County Board, the County Attorney, possibly a few Private Attorney's representing the Families of those involved as well as from the Public concerning this Tragic Accident. I would also bet she has checked and double checked to make sure her staff or contractors are properly checking and maintaining the traffic control devices. Their checking these Barricades does not stop someone from moving them 10-minutes after they leave.
My question would be from reading the stories and viewing the photo's relates to the photo with this article.
Where did those whom placed the makeshift Memorial at the accident scene and the photographer park their vehicles?
Did they park at the barricade?
Did they drive around the barricade off the shoulder or into the ditch?
Did they slightly move the barricades to drive up to the washout / accident scene?
I am not placing any blame or passing judgment on anyone as there has been plenty of that already. While saying that I believe that we as a people need to take some responsibility for ourselves and to be aware of the roadway conditions and our own personal driving limitations or to the trust of the person driving when we get into a vehicle with them.
As a Civil Engineering Designer, I just wanted to point out some of the standards and answer a few questions that apply to the Traffic Control devices.
I am sure these questions and the issue of standards and responsibilities will come out in the legal proceedings.
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The county did their job, but some people think it is funny to remove barricades that are put up. It has happened many times, I guess we need more of a permanent barricade when roads are washed away. I don't know why some people think it is funny to remove barricades, signs and etc. for warnings. I am sure Kenny isn't trying to shift the blame on anyone else, I think other people have done that. God bless all the families from this tragedy.
Posted by menace56 (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know it's off topic, but I would like to know the criteria required by The Albert Lea Tribune to remove comments made by posters.
Posted by tiff72795 (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 6:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If the barricades were removed from the street, shouldn't that be someone elses fault? Maybe they should check into that a little further don't you think? He shouldn't get all the blame, the city should too, they were the ones that were suppose to fix it, none of this would have happend to these families..... But it all goes back to the driver which just happened to be Kenny, he isnt the only one at fault here.
Posted by Austin (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 7:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The barricades were not moved. If you read the story, the other passengers recall seeing the barricades.
Posted by sophie (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 10:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It would be nice if the Tribune would outline why some posts are being deleted.
Posted by Austin (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 7:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Reader101-Either way if he went in by shoulder or ditch, he was in an area he wasn't supposed to be in. He was wasted and went on a closed road. You would have had to been living on a different planet to not know it was closed and been blind to not have seen all the barricades and road closed signs. They mean what they say, so no matter where he was trying to get around them it doesn't matter. How many more excuses do we have to listen to?
Posted by tiff72795 (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 8:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you dont want to hear the excuses then dont read them.
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 9:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why oh why does everybody say you would have to be on another planet if you didn't know which road was closed?? I'm not making excuses for them, but I didn't know that the road was south of 46, I thought the part that washed out was closer to the town of Oakland. The reason I thought that was because they said Mr. Wangen was from Oakland so I thought it happened closer to there. You PERFECT people make me sick, go live in fantasy land where no one ever makes a mistake.
Posted by observer (anonymous) on September 6, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Did he by chance go by the barriers earlier in the day? If so, he would have known about them.
Posted by hurricane2005 (Karina Amundson) on September 8, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I realize everything we do in life has a consequence but reading about this case just breaks my heart. i have been in situations like this one but we were lucky and no one got hurt. everyone in the car made the chioce to ride with kenny. but i dont think its fair that its all on kenny. just because hes the driver? i mean i think the situation would be different if the driver had passed on (my in no way saying i wished kenny passed) i just think it would be considered something tragic but being he didnt it like everyone needs someone to put he blame on.
Posted by tengstrom (Tim Engstrom) on September 8, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To the people wondering why their comments were deleted, scroll up and read my previous post. No one has been convicted of anything here, OK? Please respect that.
And to the people noting why even have comments, we indeed can make it possible that no comments follow more controversial stories. We'd rather have dialogue, but obey the law. America has free speech, but there are some laws regarding it and libel is one of them.
In other instances, profanity or pretend profanity can get you deleted, simply because we want civil dialogue.
Otherwise, you can read the "Terms of Use Policy" right next to "Post a comment" immediately above your comment box.
Posted by observer (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 12:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hurricane:
What if the driver was by themselves and ran into another car and killed a person in the other car, would that be a problem?
Posted by venture (anonymous) on September 18, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What I don't understand is there was an accident previously. Why didn't the County put up what is called Jersery Barriers which are made of cement so that no one could move the barriers. Also, if the road was out why isn't there a barrier at the intersection prior to the washout letting people know not to turn down that road. (maybe there is, I am not from the area so I don't know) Also if he was so drunk how was he able to "go around the barricades" doing 40 mph and not hit the ditch. My thoughts go out to all involved.
Posted by chickenlegs (anonymous) on November 6, 2008 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so sorry for what happened to kelly. The family needs to stay strong and good luck at the benefit for her.
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