Two Minnesota Wrecks May Have Been Caused By Distracted Drivers
Foley, MN (KROC AM News) - Distracted driving may have played a role in two serious accidents in Minnesota.
A Sauk Rapids man was seriously injured Thursday evening after his car collided with another vehicle whose driver may have been using his cellphone.
The State Patrol says 49-year-old Brad Eager was driving in rural Benton County when an approaching vehicle swerved across the center line to avoid rear-ending a car that had stopped to make a turn. The State Patrol says Eager’s injuries were life-threatening. The other vehicle was driven by 20-year-old Carter Beckler of Staples. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The State Patrol report indicates Beckler may be to blame for the wreck: “Distracted driving due to cellphone use is suspected for the driver of the Ford.” That was the vehicle Beckler was driving.
The other wreck happened Wednesday evening in rural Carver County and may have been caused by a teenager who “looked down at a cellphone.”
The State Patrol says the 17-year-old veered into the center of the road and sideswiped a tow truck. His vehicle then collided with a semi-truck. The State Patrol report indicates the teenager was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries. Two 17-year-old passengers in his vehicle sustained life-threatening injuries.
There was a significant driving distraction in Red Wing Thursday night:
News update: The Minnesota DNR will be watching for impaired boaters during the holiday weekend.