Topper Blows off Jeep, Leads to Wrongful Death in Minnesota

A series of events that began with a topper coming off of a Jeep ended in the tragic, wrongful death of a man from Fountain, Minnesota.

Fred Pritzker
Attorney Fred Pritzker has helped many families that suffered the loss of a loved one. You can call 612-338-0202 for a free consultation regarding a wrongful death claim.

A Jeep Wrangler driven by a man from Inver Grove Heights was traveling southbound on Highway 52 in Dakota County when the topper blew off. At the same time, the man from Fountain was also driving southbound on 52. He hit the topper and pulled to the left shoulder, where he exited the vehicle and stood in the grassy median ditch. There, he was hit and killed by a third vehicle, a Buick Park Avenue that had swerved to avoid stopped traffic, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

This is a complex crash that raises a number of questions:

  • Why did the topper come off (the obvious question)?
  • Was the correct hardware used to secure the topper?
  • If so, was it tightened?
  • Was the topper serviced at the dealership or elsewhere prior to the accident?
  • What was the speed of the Buick before it hit Mr. Ostrom?

Our law firm recently won $4 million for a Minnesota family in a wrongful death lawsuit against a driver and the company that had recently serviced the vehicle that caused the crash. Our lawyers kept pursuing the case until they uncover the evidence needed to win this recovery. You can call 612-338-0202 or 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) to request a free, no obligation consultation. Learn about your rights and how you can get answers.

Share this article:

Category: Accidents
Ready to talk?

We're here to listen. Tell us what happened to you.

We are not paid unless you win. Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Related Articles