Storm blamed for fatal Sherburne County crash that also injured 9
A powerful winter storm that has left roads snow covered and slippery in parts of the Upper Midwest is blamed for a Sherburne County crash that killed one person and injured nine others.
Sherburne County sheriff's officials said a small bus collided with an SUV on a road east of Big Lake about 3 p.m. Thursday. Forty-seven-year-old Marilyn Balogi, of Zimmerman, was killed. She was a passenger on the bus. Balogi had Down's syndrome and was riding the bus home from work Thursday afternoon, according to her sister Melissa Harrington. Harrington said authorities told the family that Balogi died on impact, after suffering a severe head trauma.
"So many people have reached out to us, and said that they're sorry and that she always had a smile on her face," Harrington said, adding that Balogi loved to dance and do karaoke. The 47-year-old leaves behind her nine siblings, who say the last 24 hours have been a whirlwind. "She's just a great person to be around," Harrington said.
Seven other bus passengers as well as the bus driver and the SUV driver were injured and taken to area hospitals. The bus that was involved in the crash came from Tri-CAP, a Waite Park-based company that specializes in providing transportation to those with disabilities.
The company released the following statement on its Facebook page:
"A Tri-CAP bus was involved in a traffic crash on December 27, 2018 near Zimmerman Minnesota while in operational service. We have been notified by the Sherburne County Law Enforcement that there is one fatality and minor injuries to other passengers and bus driver. All involved have been transported to local medical facilities for observation and treatment. We are deeply saddened by this information and will work with law enforcement on any further information needed."
