Family: Woman won't survive SUV passing maneuver that killed husband, baby

Hope evaporated Tuesday for a woman surviving the consequences of a perilous passing maneuver on a southern Dakota County highway that ended in a crash that killed her husband, who was driving the family's SUV, and the couple's 1-year-old daughter.

The woman's mother said that after the crash, which occurred midday Monday northeast of Randolph, the woman lost the fetus she was carrying and that as of Tuesday afternoon she was "only being kept alive with life support."

"The medical team have done everything that they were able to do to keep the swelling of her brain down, but they have run out of options," Suzanne Brantly posted on Facebook about her daughter, 26-year-old Elizabeth M. Calderara, of Cannon Falls, Minn. "We have made the difficult decision to say goodbye."

The SUV, driven by Jason M. Calderara, 31, was heading north on two-lane Hwy. 56 near 280th Street, passed another vehicle and "cut back to the northbound lane at the last second," a statement from the patrol began.

That move sent a braking minivan coming the other way to the right shoulder to avoid the SUV.

However, a semitrailer truck behind the minivan began braking and jackknifed into the northbound SUV. The big rig hit the SUV on the driver's side.

Killed were Jason Calderara and daughter, Melody, the State Patrol said.

Officially, Elizabeth Calderara remained in critical condition Tuesday at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, a spokeswoman said.

Brantly said on Facebook that her daughter lost the male fetus she was carrying, whom she had intended to name Hawk.

For now, medical personnel are keeping Elizabeth Calderara "alive until her dad and Jason's mom have gotten here to say their final goodbyes," Brantly wrote on Facebook.

Also in the SUV was Elizabeth Calderara's stepson, 9-year-old Nicholas. He was upgraded from serious to fair condition while being treated next door at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare.

The semi's driver, James B. Sathre, 71, of Faribault, Minn., was expected to survive his injuries.

Everyone involved in the crash was wearing proper restraint devices.

With the family's approval, a fundraising page has been started online to help with funeral arrangements and other expenses. Donations are being accepted at: youcaring.com/Elizabeth-jason-melody-hawk-and-nick-calderara-605161.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482