Bloomington teen rolls Maserati; driver hurt; 2 others escape injury

A Twin Cities teenager "out for a cruise" in a Maserati at 2:45 a.m. with two young friends rolled the powerful luxury car on a rural highway southwest of the Twin Cities, landing himself in the hospital, authorities and one of the passengers said.

The crash occurred early Saturday on northbound Hwy. 5, just south of Green Isle in Sibley County, the State Patrol said.

A 17-year-old boy was behind the wheel of the 2006 Maserati Quattroporte when it veered off the wet highway, into the ditch and rolled, the patrol said. That car comes equipped with a nearly 400-horsepower engine.

Among the passengers was Michael A. O'Brien, 18, of Bloomington, the patrol said. O'Brien said the car belongs to his grandfather.

When it was new, that model of Maserati retailed for more than $100,000. The rollover left the car totaled, the patrol said.

The driver was taken to a hospital in Arlington, Minn., for treatment of noncritical injuries. His identity was not released.

O'Brien was not hurt, nor was another passenger, 14-year-old Kana M. Anderson, the patrol said. The three teens, all from Bloomington, had on their seat belts. The patrol said alcohol did not play a role in the crash.

The three were "out for a cruise" with no particular destination, O'Brien said, adding that his grandfather gave him permission to have the car and for the 17-year-old to be allowed to drive it.

"He's a wonderful driver," O'Brien said. "He doesn't get into accidents and that sort of thing."

O'Brien said the highway "had quite a bit of snow" on the shoulder when the car lost traction and "spun out two times. Then we continued to roll about 2½ times. The car was upside down [when it stopped]."

He added that his friend was not speeding at the time and handled the situation "like a pro."