Family Mourning Couple Killed In Pine County Motorcycle Crash
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The family of a Minnesota man who died in a motorcycle crash wants to save other families from this type of heartbreak.
The State Patrol reports the crash happened Friday night in Pine County along Highway 107.
According to the State Patrol's report, driver 54-year-old Daniel Bruneau of Isanti died after his car veered into oncoming traffic. The crash also killed 38-year-old Jack Lampman of Shoreview and 29-year-old Stacy Johnson of Bethel, when their motorcycle collided with the car.
Lampman's brother, Brian, and best friend, Mark Gordh, described the couple that had been together for five years as very loving and carefree.
"They kind of fulfilled each other and it's a tragic love story when it comes down to it," Gordh said.
Jack Lampman and Stacy Johnson were coming home from a concert Friday night around 11 p.m. when the crash happened.
The two were each parents and leave behind five children between them.
"We are just doing the best we can, especially with the kids, so we are talking to them, having them help out and make decisions," Brian Lampman said.
The State Patrol is investigating why the car veered into oncoming traffic, but one thing Jack's brother Brian and Gordh know is that an accident can happen to anyone at any time.
"I ride every day to and from work and there have been a couple of close calls I've had myself with people just not looking twice or three times," Brian Lampman said.
At least three motorcyclists died on Minnesota roads since Friday, making 30 deaths involving motorcyclists so far this year.
"Please look in your mirror three times, look three times, motorcyclists too because we are not perfect either," Brian Lampman said.
Brian Lampman and Gordh said Jack loved riding, partly because he felt it brought him closer to his father, who also passed away in a motorcycle crash decades ago.
They said the tragedy is too close to this family and they are hoping they can spare another family. The State Patrol and family both said the couple was not wearing their helmets.
They said while it is an important safety measure, authorities told them they do not believe it would have made a difference in this case because of the impact.
The family is making funeral arrangements to be held together for the couple.