Patrol: Excessive Speed Not Work Zone Crash Factor

The Minnesota State Patrol says excessive speed apparently was not a factor in a crash that killed two workers on Interstate 35W in Burnsville.

Lt. Eric Roeske says that’s based on witness statements. He says the patrol doesn’t know how fast the 21-year-old Missouri man was driving when he lost control of his sports car and swerved off the freeway Thursday, striking the two contractor workers.

Roeske says alcohol also was not a factor.

The driver was not arrested. The State Patrol is investigating and will give its report to the Dakota County Attorney’s office, which will decide whether to file any charges.

The two victims were installing a MnPASS lane on the freeway. They are identified as 47-year-old Craig Carlson of Ramsey and 44-year-old Ronald Rajkowski of St. Joseph.