2 die in minivan crash in central Minnesota

A minivan went off a highway in central Minnesota before dawn and ran into trees, killing a Twin Cities man and another person among the six occupants, nearly all of whom were not properly belted in, authorities said.

These latest fatalities add to a surge in deaths on Minnesota roads in recent days, with two people killed in a crash Wednesday in Anoka County adding to the rising tally.

Tuesday's crash occurred about 4:45 a.m. on Hwy. 210, south of Staples, when the van left the highway, went airborne and struck trees, according to the State Patrol.

Killed were Daniel R. Waldron, 33, of Fridley, and Amanda E. Cowan, 23, of Miltona, Minn., the patrol said.

Seriously injured were Renee L. Rautio, 28, of Menahga, Minn., and her daughter, Katie L. Rautio, 8. Both were being treated at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale. By Wednesday morning, Renee Rautio was in fair condition and Katie in good condition.

Unharmed was Bently R. Rautio, Renee Rautio's 9-month-old son. The patrol said the baby was the only occupant in a proper restraint device.

"The key to stopping these preventable tragic deaths begins with every motorist buckling up," said Patrol Sgt. Jesse Grabow.

Counting the deaths Tuesday and Wednesday, there have been 126 traffic fatalities in Minnesota so far this year, with 10 of those coming just since Friday. The 2013 tally represents an increase from the same period last year of more than 10 percent, according to the state Department of Public Safety's Office of Traffic Safety.

"Sadly, it's not uncommon to see deadly periods like this" as summer approaches, said Donna Berger, director of the Office of Traffic Safety. "It's our role as motorists to make these crashes and resulting tragedies uncommon, by driving focused, driving at safe speeds and being buckled up."