James P. Carey Press

Wrongful death lawsuit filed in I-35W chain-reaction crash

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The husband of a woman killed when a semi-trailer struck her vehicle on I-35W in Lakeville last May has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the trucking company.

Twin Cities attorney Jim Carey filed suit in Dakota County Wednesday on behalf of Todd Brinkhaus, the husband of Pamela Brinkhaus, who was killed when her car was rear-ended by the truck owned and operated by Reinhart Foodservice.

Brinkhaus was traveling behind another truck loaded with 17 million bees when the chain reaction crash was allegedly triggered by the Rinehart semi. Her car, and one driven by a pregnant woman were crushed between the two trucks.

The lawsuit alleges driver fatigue as the cause of the crash. Lawyers for Brinkhaus say the preliminary investigation suggests that the Rinehart truck was traveling at least 68 miles per hour, and there appears to be no evidence of braking.

"We have serious questions as to how and why this collision occurred," Attorney Carey stated. "We cannot understand how this occurred until we get people under oath and take depositions from the individuals involved. The family members have legitimate questions and we will work to provide the family with answers."