Traffic crashes cause two deaths

A female passenger on a motorcycle was killed during the evening rush hour Friday in Arden Hills, one of at least two to die this weekend on Minnesota roads.

By JIM ADAMS, Star Tribune

August 28, 2011 at 8:35PM

At least two people have died in separate Minnesota traffic crashes, one in Ramsey County, this weekend.

A female passenger on a motorcycle was killed during the evening rush hour Friday in Arden Hills. Eastbound traffic had stopped ahead of the motorcycle and its driver, Lucas A. Anderson, 26, braked, lost control and crashed on Interstate 694 near Hwy. 10 about 6 p.m.

Anderson, of Fargo, N.D., suffered non-life threatening injuries. His passenger, Jennifer F. Verlinde, 27, of Grand Forks, N.D., died. Both were wearing helmets, according to the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office.

No other vehicles were involved and the pavement was dry.

In northern Minnesota, an Illinois man was injured and his 81-year-old passenger killed after he crossed over the centerline of Hwy. 53 north of Cook, and hit a northbound car head-on Saturday afternoon.

The State Patrol reported that Donald Shee, 86, of Downers Grove, Ill., hit an oncoming vehicle that swerved to miss him but they collided on the shoulder of the northbound lane. Shee's passenger, Antoinette M. Lincoln, of Romeoville, Ill., was killed. The other car's driver, Joann A. Knutson, 54, of Cook, was in critical condition Saturday evening.

Jim Adams • 952-707-9996

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JIM ADAMS, Star Tribune