1 of 2 sisters injured in Lakeville crash dies

By Abby Simons, Star Tribune

Last update: November 9, 2008 - 9:22 AM

A Lakeville teenager seriously injured along with her sister in a Wednesday car crash has died.

Kayla Jo Borgerson, 17, "was not able to survive the multiple, traumatic injuries she sustained from the crash," her parents, Keith and Sue Borgerson, said in a statement released Saturday morning. The family plans to donate her organs.

"This was Kayla's wish, and now her legacy of caring for others will live on," the statement said.

Kayla's sister, Katie Borgerson, 15, remains in serious condition at Hennepin County Medical Center's pediatric intensive care unit.

The teens were injured when the car they were driving collided with a pickup truck around 6 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Juniper Path and 205th Avenue S., Lakeville Police Chief Tom Vonhof said.

Kayla, a senior at Lakeville South High School, was driving and making a turn from Juniper Path onto 205th Avenue when the crash happened. Initial reports indicate that she pulled in front of the eastbound pickup truck driven by Brandon Pekel, 25.

Pekel was not seriously hurt. He is not facing any charges.

A fund for Kayla and Katie Borgerson has been established. Donations will be accepted at any Wells Fargo Bank location.

Recent Local + Metro stories

Dateline Minneapolis: Inefficiency marks USDA lunch program - November 9, 2008

Dateline Minneapolis: Inefficiency marks USDA lunch program - A graduate of Minneapolis South High who's doing her doctoral thesis on school lunch programs in Minnesota says waste is widespread -- and costly -- in the federal food giveaways. More