Five Lives Lost in Crashes on Minnesota Roads During Labor Day Weekend
Undated (KROC-AM News)- At least five lives were lost in traffic crashes across Minnesota over the Labor Day Weekend.
See Also: 2 Dead, 3 Hurt After Vehicle Drives into Patio at Minnesota Restaurant
It marks a tragic end to the period between Memorial and Labor Day, which state public safety officials call the “100 deadliest days on Minnesota roads.”
Three of the fatalities involved motorcycles and one was a hit-and-run that resulted in an arrest.
3 Motorcyclists, Man on Motorbike Among At Least 5 Killed in Minnesota Crashes Over Labor Day Weekend
The first fatal crash occurred Saturday morning in Fillmore County and claimed the life of a Rochester man.
Read More: Rochester Man Killed in Fillmore County Motorcycle Crash Identified
81-year-old Noel Alan Luedtke was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash on Hwy. 30 just west of Rushford. Luedtke was driving the motorcycle east when the motorcycle left the road and entered the ditch around 10:40 a.m, the State Patrol says.
Saturday’s second fatality also involved a motorcycle and happened on an exit ramp from eastbound I-94 in Minneapolis.
33-year-old William Wade Lyons lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a soundwall after it went on to the grassy apex around 6:20 p.m. The Lakeville man was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries, according to the State Patrol.
The third deadly crash on Saturday happened in rural southwestern Minnesota’s Redwood County around 9:10 p.m.
A news release issued by the Redwood County Sheriff’s Office says a man identified as Richard Gewerth of rural Morton, MN died after his pick-up left a county Rd. and struck a utility pole.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Sunday, authorities responded to the weekend’s third reported motorcycle fatality in central Minnesota’s Morrison County.
The State Patrol says the motorcycle/trike and an SUV were traveling east on Highway 10 when the motorcycle merged into the right lane in front of the Bronco.
Read More: Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Morrison County
The motorcycle's rear tire collided with the passenger side of the SUV’s front bumper around 2:30 p.m. The riders of the motorcycle were ejected and the SUV rolled multiple times.
69-year-old David Searcy of Sauk Centre died in the crash. His passenger 69-year-old Ruth Ann Searcy was taken to St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls with non-life-threatening injuries.
The 17-year-old boy driving the SUV was not hurt.
The final fatality reported over the holiday weekend was a hit-and-run in Minneapolis on Monday. Police say a man riding a motorized bike died after being struck by a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed around 5:30 p.m.
The victim’s name has not yet been released. Authorities say the suspect driver fled the area but was later captured nearby.
The suspect, whose name has also not yet been released, could face criminal vehicular homicide charges, police say.
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Gallery Credit: Ken Hayes
