4 Killed, 4 Injured In Crash On Hwy. 14 Near Sleepy Eye
SLEEPY EYE, Minn. (WCCO) -- Four people were killed in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 14 near Sleepy Eye on Friday evening, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
Lt. Eric Roeske says the crash happened about 8:18 p.m. when a Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by 19-year-old Kansas Adams of Sleepy Eye, lost control on a curve while traveling westbound.
Adams crossed into the eastbound lane and was broadsided by a Dodge pickup truck driven by 43-year-old Douglas Wiborg of New Ulm.
All four of Adams passengers were killed: 17-year-old Payton Adams of Sleepy Eye, 17-year-old Caleb Quesenberry of St. Peter, 18-year-old John Mangen of Fairfax and 20-year-old Tyler Hadley of Sleepy Eye.
Kansas Adams survived and is in critical condition at an area hospital. Preliminary reports show none of Adams' passengers, with the exception of John Mangen, were wearing seatbelts.
Douglas Wiborg was driving with his two children: 7-year-old Sydney Wiborg and 9-year-old Jakob Wiborg. All three sustained non-life threatening injuries.
Wiborg was taken to Sleepy Eye Hospital, while his children were taken to Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. All three were wearing seatbelts.
Lt. Roeske says road conditions were icy at the time of the accident.
He added that it's unclear if alcohol played a factor in the crash, but says preliminary reports show no indication of alcohol use on Wiborg's part.
The parents of one of the young men involved in the crash said the boys were all very close friends, like brothers.
Deb and Scott Hadley, Tyler Hadley's parents, told WCCO that Tyler was a very loving kid who would do anything for anyone.
Tyler and Payton Adams were on the same golf team at Sleepy High School.
Tyler dropped out of college last year after he lost his sister just nine months ago.
A vigil was held at Sleepy Eye High School Saturday evening for the boys.
The Brown County Sheriff's office is assisting the State Patrol in their investigation.