New Details Released in Fatal Askov Crash that Left 4 Dead
Friday, September 14, 2012 - 12:13pm
FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT
ASKOV - Authorities are releasing new details involving a fatal crash near Askov that left four dead Tuesday.
Pine County officials say a semi that hit the pickup carrying the victims was an empty gravel hauling truck from a local company doing business in the area.
The driver was a man from the Askov area and authorities say they don't suspect any wrong doing by him.
The driver of the pickup truck and lone survivor is now identified as 21 year old Nikko Jensen, who is still at Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, and is expected to live.
Fifty-eight year old Arden Edwards, was the uncle of Nikko and 17 year old Felicity Jensen.
Arden was seated in the passenger area closest to the passenger door where the point of impact occurred.
He died at the scene and was the only victim not ejected from the pickup truck.
It's currently unknown where Nikko's sister Felicity was sitting in the truck as she was ejected upon impact and died at the scene.
Twenty-one year old Brett Larson was also ejected upon impact and his seating position in the pickup truck is unknown as well.
He also died on the scene.
Officials say 20 year old Catherine Peterson was also ejected from the pickup truck upon impact and her seating position is unknown as well.
She was still alive when first responders arrived and began life saving measures.
She was taken from the scene by air–ambulance and died a short time later at the hospital.
Up to this point there no indications of alcohol use or negligence by either driver.
The Minnesota State Patrol is conducting an accident reconstruction investigation at this time.
The pickup truck and the semi-truck were taken to an impound forensic area for examination by the MSP accident reconstruction investigator as well as the commercial vehicle inspectors (as required).
Those actions are still ongoing and results are not known at this time.
The Associated Press is also reporting that a funeral for Peterson was held Friday in Willow River.