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photo by Tim Engstrom
Minnesota state troopers and local firefighters discuss how to remove a Dodge Caravan from the edge of the only open roadway of Interstate 90 between Albert Lea and Alden. The minivan collided Friday afternoon with a Pontiac Grand Prix, which rests in the ditch of the median.
Collision shuts down Interstate 90
3 injured in crash
Published Saturday, October 17, 2009
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, three men were injured in a crash on Interstate 90 on Friday afternoon. There were no fatalities, and the injuries were not life-threatening.
The crash occurred at 3:16 p.m. Friday, according to the patrol’s report.
Traffic on I-90 in both directions ground to a halt as first responders dealt with the two-car collision. The wreckage was less than a mile west of I-90 Exit 154, where the freeway intersects Minnesota Highway 13. Because of road construction on what usually are the westbound lanes, the westbound and eastbound traffic were confided to the two lanes usually for eastbound traffic. So when the collision occurred, both directions of traffic had to be shut down.
A green 1997 Dodge Caravan driven by Khemsak Keopraseuth, 46, of Rockford, Ill., was broken down in the construction zone on the shoulder of the westbound lane. His passenger was Kwe Wah, 24, also of Rockford. The two men are relatives, the report states.
Bryant J. Dagestad, 20, of Emmons, was headed westbound in a violet-red 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. According to the report, he swerved to avoid slow-moving traffic and rear-ended the Dodge.
The report indicates Keopraseuth was not wearing his seat belt, likely because of his car’s disrepair. It said Dagestad indeed was wearing a seat belt. It was undetermined whether Wah was buckled up. An airbag deployed for Dagestad.
Photo by Tim Engstrom
A tow truck from Allen’s Tow N Travel prepares Friday to pull a Volvo tractor-trailer out of the soft shoulder of eastbound Interstate 90.
Photo by Tim Engstrom
Onlookers watch troopers, deputies, firefighters and medical personnel respond Friday to a two-car collision on Interstate 90.
The Pontiac came to a rest in the ditch of the median. The Dodge was on the edge of the roadway. A Volvo tractor-trailer from United Group Express swerved onto the soft shoulder of the eastbound lanes. Because of the summer road construction, new grass had been planted along the shoulder and the ground was soft. The truck’s wheels sank into the mud.
Responders were the Minnesota State Patrol, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, Albert Lea Medical Center, Albert Lea Fire Department and Hayward Fire Department. The injured men were transported in two ambulances to ALMC.
After the fire trucks moved at about 3:45 p.m., the eastbound lanes opened again. They closed again as a Hayward fire truck hauled the minivan out of the way for traffic and as a tow truck from Allen’s Tow N Travel moved the big rig back onto the road so its driver could continue eastbound.
Reports came in that many motorists were getting off the freeway at Albert Lea exits and taking alternate routes. Some opted for Freeborn County Road 46, which is closed between Albert Lea and Alden. Deputies responded to that route.
Eventually, both available lanes on I-90 reopened to traffic from both directions. Just east of this collision site was the location of a quadruple fatality in August.
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Comments
Posted by oldnkmp (anonymous) on October 16, 2009 at 5:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I witnessed this accident happen as I was driving west bound, and was the first one to call 911 to get these unfortunate people the help they needed. I am thankful to see that there were no fatalities, because the gentlemen was standing in front of that van when the car hit it. I hope they will all be ok and recover quickly. God speed!
Posted by Culture_Warrior (anonymous) on October 16, 2009 at 9:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is at least the third serious accident to happen on this patch of I-90 in the last couple of months. Fortunately, no one died this time. They can't open the other lanes too soon for me. This is a real hazardous situation.
Posted by comfortablynumb (anonymous) on October 16, 2009 at 9:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How many accidents and deaths do we need on this spot before the get this open? Who's brilliant idea was it to do both sides of the interstate AND hwy 46 all in one year...f'n brilliant....we've got $$$$$ let's spend it all right now...who cares about the safety or the inconvienece to the public.....
Posted by annrose (anonymous) on October 17, 2009 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree that the situation on I-90 is insane. Was the decision to do both roads at the same time made because of "use it or loose it" money? All that traffic put on two lanes is simply unsafe. They should as least lower the speed limit through the construction zone! And WHEN is the construction going to be done?
Posted by anasgrammy (anonymous) on October 17, 2009 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i'm glad no one was seriously injured in this accident. everyone here is complaining about the construction causing these accidents. no. the people driving in the construction zones are causeing the accidents by not paying attention to what they're doing. when in a contruction zone you slow down and pay attention. if you do that there wouldn't be all these "accidents". he swerved to avoid slow moving traffic. did he think he could go faster than the slow moving traffic when there's only one lane to drive in?
Posted by toby (anonymous) on October 17, 2009 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Exactly.
Posted by oldnkmp (anonymous) on October 17, 2009 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Anasgrammy - you are correct! Witnessing the accident - the guy in the Grand Prix was not at all paying attention and it showed. First by his speed, secondly by his corrective manuvers that he used to avoid the cars that were already slowing down, which he did not see until it was too late. The nose of his car about hit the ground he was braking so hard, then swerved to miss them, when whoops there's a van on the shoulder. The weather was clear, the road was straight and there are no hills to obstruct vision. If I could see that the accident was about to happen when going east bound, paying attention would have by the west bound drivers would have prevented this. Driving over 1500 miles a week I see time after time people in cars, four wheelers, texting, eating, talking on the phone, messing w kids in the back, putting on makeup, oh and the list goes on and on. All causing people to loose attention to what is happening around them. I do NOT think anyone deserves to get hurt or be in an accident - so lets all remember driving is a privilege and treat it as so - please - it's not constructions, weather, or any other excuse.
Posted by GoClones (anonymous) on October 17, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have a problem when people are out here trying to tell people how to drive. You obviously don't know what "really" happened either... he was being a defensive driver due to the driver ahead of him. He wasn't on his phone, putting on "make-up" as someone else had mentioned... he was driving. Who are you (oldnkmp) to say that he wasn't paying attention... I have a hard time believing you were paying attention if you were watching him. It is obviously a place of high-risk due to construction when that is the 3rd accident during the last few months. I give a shout out to the family of the driver of the Pontiac and the people in the van... To the driver of the Pontiac... hopefully you have a quick recovery! We are thinking about you and our prayers for the family.
Posted by thefirststone (anonymous) on October 17, 2009 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with GoClones. It is easy to say "They should have", or "It would not have happened if", but the reality of the situation is that it was an accident. I am sure that none of the drivers intended for the accident to happen. I know this has been a scary and emotional night for the drivers and their families. At times like this, it is easy to condemn others for their actions. It takes a stronger person to see the humanity in every action. I pray that everyone involved has a fast recovery and takes away a valuble lesson from this unfortunate situation. Forgiveness and empathy should be practiced far more often than judgment and vengeance. As for olnkmp, I also find it hard to believe that someone who drives over 1500 miles a week is so lucky as to never have been distracted while behind the wheel. If this is the case, I commend you. Yet, as someone who has also spent many hours of the week on the interstate, I know that distractions occur, we all think it will not happen to us, but it can in a split second.
Posted by Culture_Warrior (anonymous) on October 18, 2009 at 7:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree that we should all "slow down and be more cautious" through construction zones. That should be a no brainer. The point is, there has been an increase in accidents and deaths since the two roads have been closed and they need to get them open again and soon!! This was poor planning.
Posted by tinker (anonymous) on October 18, 2009 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have driven this many times people are speeding threw this construction zone alot it is too bad they are not watching this area and giving out speeding tickets more.
Posted by gardenmama (anonymous) on October 18, 2009 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We came through this area on Saturday night after 9 p.m. and the construction crew was working on the new stretch of I-90. We were very surprised. The lights were very bright so they could see what they were doing. No doubt they have a time frame to finish in. 60 mph is plenty fast when there are only two lanes open and the amount of traffic that is in that 17 mile stretch. Slowing down would help a lot. A lot of people are in a hurry and have no patience and speed is nothing. It is surprising there are not more accidents.
Posted by nightrider (anonymous) on October 18, 2009 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Personally, I feel 60 mph is a little too fast where there is road construction. I was behind a semi going approximately 58-60 (staying with the traffic flow)when I had to come to a sudden stop that day(because of that very accident). I was behind the semi as I stated and could not see anything ahead of it. When I saw his brake lights come on and I used my brakes rather hard. I am very glad I was paying attention to what was going on in head of me! Also, I praise those behind me for watching too! Accidents do happen so very quickly and to good drivers too! Let us all remember to be alert, patient, considerate (we all want to get to where we are going), and stay within the speed limit. We all have to admit there are many out there that believe the speed limit is just a suggestion! I am so thankful no one was killed. I don't know why that stretch is so dangerous. I have traveled it a number of times. Just let us all be careful always when we are driving!
Posted by GoClones (anonymous) on October 18, 2009 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There is a lot of talk about speed in these comments... there is no record that I have seen that said anyone was speeding when the accident occurred.
Posted by InterestedReader (anonymous) on October 18, 2009 at 8:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GoClonses,
I was not there or dont know much about it but I think it would be the responsibility of the driver of the pontiac. Just because the vehicle in front of him was going slower or even if itslowed quickly doesnt mean anything. It appears the driver of the pontiac didnt give himself enough time to react which means he was either going to fast, not paying attention, or something. If you rear end someone, ITS YOUR FAULT!!!
Posted by InterestedReader (anonymous) on October 18, 2009 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I do hope all injured the best and a speedy recovery!!
Posted by chrish (anonymous) on October 18, 2009 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The main thing is that there were no serious injuries or fatalities. Cars can be replaced, people cannot.
Posted by alhsgrad90 (anonymous) on October 19, 2009 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
InterestedReader: You are wrong with the if you rear end someone "ITS YOUR FAULT!!!" In the state of Minnesota you are at fault if you are in accident. I was rear ended by a woman who was doing 60 - 65 mph in a construction zone and I was not moving. My lawyer told me that I was 10% at fault for just being there. Minnesota got rid of the no fault accident law because insurance companies had to pay so much out due to accidents.
Posted by nesaajr (anonymous) on October 19, 2009 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Road Construction & Moving Traffic through the zone is a Balancing Act for the Designers and Construction Personnel.
Factors to consider:
Look at the Road Design and what the segment had for a Design Speed (Curves, Grades, Width of Lane and Shoulders, Pavement surface, Side Slopes and Roadside Obstacles, Directional Volume & Peak Hour Volumes). How do the construction operations interference with roadway traffic. How much does Driver Experience or Inexperience and familiarity or unfamiliarity with the roadway affect Speeds and reactions?
How much do we slow traffic down and/or how fast do we allow them to go?
Set the Speed Limit too slow and the vast majority will be speeding, set it too fast and you’ll be causing problems. Generally the approach is to set the Speed Limit at the Speed where 85% of the Traffic will be obeying the Speed Limit and Traffic moves freely and safely.
All the Signs & Laws in the World will not get everyone to follow them. Place too many Warning signs and people will begin to disregard them with Sign fatigue. We will always have a few people for whatever reason may see the signs warning of slow traffic and construction ahead. Yet it just does not click with some people no matter what you do to try and prevent an accident. This project (I-90) along with others (C.R. 16) in the area did not make this an ideal situation for anyone.
Would having set the Speed Limit slower (i.e.: 50mph or 45mph) made any difference?
Do you Obey ALL of the WORK ZONE Speed Limits?
The only real difference having the Speed Limit set for a WORK ZONE and set at 45mph made is for the Law Enforcement Authorities to have an easier time in charging someone with a Violation or Multiple Violations (Speeding [Basic Speed Law – Too Fast for Conditions & Failure to Maintain Control of your Vehicle], Work Zone Speeding, Inattentive Driving, etc.).
Please Slow Down and Pay Attention when you are driving, not only in Work Zones, but all of the Time. It is a SAD Fact that we in the USA Kill over 10-times more people on our Roads & Highways each year (average over 45,000 per year) than we’ve had Killed in 5-years of WAR in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Hopefully those involved in this latest accident will heal quickly.
Posted by nightrider (anonymous) on October 20, 2009 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, I honestly can say I honor the speed zone in construction areas. I don't want to ever have to live with killing anyone. These workers are hard workers and can accidentally get in front of traffic. I don't ever want to face a grieving family because I killed someone because I was selfish and drove too fast.
Anyone going over the speed limit in a work zone deserves a huge fine and driving lessons. That includes me if I should ever break that law. The officers are not responsible for anyone's poor judgment in driving too fast. However, they HAVE to be there in assisting in getting the bodies removed from the scene.
I wonder how many conic speeders have see what an accident does to a body? I have..........I came across one accident in particular...... my father's......... I have lived with it nearly every day.
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