There were two unrelated accidents in the Lutsen area construction zone last week.
On Saturday, September 13, at 7:51 a.m. two cars collided in the Highway 61 construction zone between Cascade Beach Road and Hall Road.
Craig Kuehl, 58, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, was driving a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado, pulling a boat and trailer. Kuehl told the Cook County Sheriff ’s Office that he was slowing for a semi in the construction zone when he saw another vehicle, a 2014 Hyundai EGM, driven by Daniel Benik, 65, Jacksonville, Alabama cross the fog line.
Benik apparently over corrected and crossed the centerline, crashing into Kuehl’s boat trailer.
Benik, who was driving a rental car, said he lost control when he reached down to pick up his glasses. No citation was issued.
Lutsen Fire Department and First Responders responded to the incident. Neither driver required medical attention.
At press time, another accident had just occurred in the construction zone near Highway 61 and the Mink Ranch Road. At 9:43 a.m. on Wednesday, September 17, a 2006 Freightliner semi, driven by James P. Zuccaro, 58, Prior Lake, Minnesota was headed west. The semi was stopped in construction when it was rear-ended by a 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Dalton A. Larue, 18, Schroeder.
According to Minnesota State Patrol, Larue was wearing a seatbelt and airbags deployed. He suffered non-life threatening injuries.
The Chevy Cavalier was severely damaged.
There was no damage to the semi and Zuccaro, who was also wearing his seatbelt, had no apparent injuries.
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