Hugo crash victims identified

The Minnesota State Patrol has released the names of the two women who died and another who was critically hurt in a crash Thursday afternoon in Hugo.

[bobby]

when will police start ticketing these speeding bullies. I doubt if there is anyone who hasn't experienced one of these giants tailgating.

[Mad Dog Gus]

This truck driver is in serious trouble....there is no excuse for rear-ending another vehicle.

[Deb]

I live in that development. There are problems quite often with people not being able to see the street sign and slow down quite quickly to make the turn, giving the vehicles behind them no chance to stop. Let's not place blame until the report comes out. From what I understand from people at the scene, the semi driver didn't stand a chance of stopping in time.
We need a traffic light there. Especially for evening when it is dark and the street light cannot properly illuminate the street sign and people make last minute turns.

[Debi]

I also live in Hugo and pulling out onto Hwy 61 is like playing Russian roulette. We waited years for a traffic light on 147th. Finally, we're getting one. The passing lane on 159th is not enough. Whether it's 147th, 159th or County 4, they are all potentially dangerous intersections. Traffic should also be mindful of pulling out into traffic. The speed limit in that area is 55 mph and if someone pulls out, there needs to be enough time and room for them to get up to the speed limit. Sometimes that may mean waiting for an adequate opening. It also wouldn't hurt reminding people to be a little more cautious and courteous.

[slylab]

Deb wrote:

I live in that development. There are problems quite often with people not being able to see the street sign and slow down quite quickly to make the turn, giving the vehicles behind them no chance to stop. Let's not place blame until the report comes out. From what I understand from people at the scene, the semi driver didn't stand a chance of stopping in time.
We need a traffic light there. Especially for evening when it is dark and the street light cannot properly illuminate the street sign and people make last minute turns.

If the semi driver didn't stand a chance of stopping in time, he was following too close. His fault no matter how you slice it. If you cannot stop your vehical in time if the person ahead of you slams on their breaks, you are too close. PERIOD

[heavy haul trucker]

a peterbilt semi trailer?? the writer must be a dumb kid.....

[Ms V]

Sounds like too much development in the area and the roads cannot accomodate the volume. The woman who commented on the information she heard from people actually at the scene said the semi driver didn't have a chance. I used to be married to a truck driver. Those big rigs cannot stop on a dime and even though the trucker appeared to be young, there has to be a certain amount of training/licensure that happens before they get to drive them on-road. Quite frankly, Minnesota drivers are notorious for not using turn signals, stopping suddenly for what appears to be no apparent reason, and no standardized drivers education programs. I have lived here since 1985, learned to drive in Detroit, and thankful every day for the real driving training I got through my high school (blue-collar, middle class, paid for by the taxpayers) drivers ed.

[tragic]

Regardless of who may be at fault, it remains a tragic accident. I know the intersection quite well; my daughter used to live in the development to the west of the area. I've had several close calls myself while driving behind people who stopped suddenly and did not signal their turn. I believe a few simple enhancements will greatly reduce the incidence of future accidents at this intersection, and I agree with Ms V about MN drivers rarely signaling their turns, and making sudden stops. If the woman driving was not familiar with the area, 159th Street does come up quickly, and at 55 m.p.h. it would be nearly impossible for anyone behind to stop quickly, let alone a big rig. A few suggestions: MNDOT should place better signage on Hwy. 61 indicating that 159th Street is approaching, and a general reminder to all drivers to use your blinkers well in advance of your turn, so the drivers behind you know your intent to turn left and can move into the other/right hand lane. Simple steps which may prevent future tragedy in Hugo.

[Jeff Johnson]

with all the road construction on 35E and 35 it is pushing more traffic on to Hwy 61. Still no excuse for rear-ending someone other than speed and not paying attention. MNDot has a mess going on on Hwy 35E, it took us 55 minutes from White Bear Lake to Forest Lake single lane all the way.

[Plover]

When I was in driving school, in MN, we were taught the stopping distance for vehicles. We were also taught how many car lengths you should stay back from the car in front of you to ensure proper stopping distance. I am sure truck drivers are taught the same thing. The driver of the semi truck should have known how far back to stay in order to stop. We were also taught that if we rear end someone, we are always at fault, no matter what. You should have complete control of your vehicle, whether it be a car, truck or semi. This is negligence on the part of the semi driver no matter how you look at it. People on the roads need to learn that they must take responsibility for their actions. This situation happened twice this weekend in different cities.
I was on HWY 94 when I was cut off by 3 different semi drivers this weekend. One of the times, I had to go on the shoulder to avoid being hit. Everyone needs to slow down on the roads!!! Pay attention to your surroundings and who is in front of you. I agree with the person that said if you rear end someone, you are too close, no matter what. If you are driving a semi, you should keep a safe distance!

[Sad]

Deb wrote:

I live in that development. There are problems quite often with people not being able to see the street sign and slow down quite quickly to make the turn, giving the vehicles behind them no chance to stop. Let's not place blame until the report comes out. From what I understand from people at the scene, the semi driver didn't stand a chance of stopping in time.
We need a traffic light there. Especially for evening when it is dark and the street light cannot properly illuminate the street sign and people make last minute turns.

I drove on Hwy 61 this weekend. There is a sign for 159th and if you read the street signs you know when 159th is coming up. The reason the driver didn't stand a chance of stopping is because he was driving too close!! There are no skid marks before impact which tells me that he didn't even try to stop. A semi with trailer needs atleast 300 ft to stop. Can your witness let us know if that is how far back the semi was from the van?