Family Member Sues Winona County, Minnesota for Road Damages, Wrongful Death

June 16,2009

In 2007, an excess of 15 inches of rain ran through the culverts and roadways of Winona County, Minnesota. Homes were destroyed and bridges were washed out. A couple who was driving along Winona County Highway 17 entered a deep and cavernous hole in the road. They were pronounced dead on the scene when they were found.

The plaintiff, a relative of the couple, is seeking more than $50,000 in damages for each of the victims. He claims that the county did know about the danger in the roadway and failed to act or warn drivers of the hole.

The defendants, including Winona County, Winona County Emergency Management, Winona County Highway Department, Winona County Sheriff’s Department and Kevin Lindquist, a county highway department employee, all claim that the sheriff’s department received hundreds of 911 calls on the night that the couple was killed, and because of the nature and severity of the storm, should be excused from all charges.

The trial dates were postponed so that the attorneys will have the opportunities to mediate several issues within the case. The lawsuit will most likely face a jury in October.