Crash involving Redskins team buses will cost Minneapolis $237,000

A bus crash last year involving a Minneapolis police squad car and buses carrying the Washington Redskins will ultimately cost the city $237,254, split roughly evenly between the bus company and an insurance company.

September 29, 2015 at 6:11PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A crash last year involving a Minneapolis police squad car and buses carrying the Washington Redskins will ultimately cost the city $237,254.

A proposed settlement will be discussed -- and likely approved -- next week by the city's budget committee. The payment would be split roughly evenly between Minneapolis-based Lorenz Bus Service and Gotham Insurance Co.

The crash involved off-duty police officers who were escorting the team to a game against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. A police squad car moving toward the front of the motorcade on a grassy median lost control, causing an abrupt stop and one bus to rear end another.

One Redskins player reported back spasms as a result of the crash, which forced him to sit out the game.

The Police Department subsequently suspended the practice of escorting professional sports teams.

The bus company and the insurance company filed claims for damages to the buses and "an alleged loss of business while the buses were out of service," according to a staff report prepared by the city attorney's office.

Above: A photo of the incident taken by Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon.

about the writer

about the writer

Eric Roper

Curious Minnesota Editor

Eric Roper oversees Curious Minnesota, the Star Tribune's community reporting project fueled by great reader questions. He also hosts the Curious Minnesota podcast. 

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