State Patrol: 2 Killed in Brainerd Rollover Crash not Wearing Seat Belts

I don't understand why people just can't take 2 seconds and put there damn seat belts on.
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BRAINERD, MINN. - Two people died when they were thrown from a car in a rollover crash on Hwy. 25 near Brainerd, Tuesday evening, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

"One of the occupants was dead at the scene. Another occupant was pinned underneath the vehicle, and he was pronounced dead a short time later," Minnesota State Patrol Commander Mark Jonassen said.

The deceased have been identified as Natasha Merrill, 33, of Isle, who was driving the car, and Daniel Weyaus, 32, of Onamia.

The third passenger, Gordon Weyaus, 39, of Onamia, suffered non-life threatening injuries, according to the Minnesota State Patrol report.

The three occupants were not wearing seatbelts, and Commander Jonassen said that was a fatal mistake.

"There's no guarantee, but vehicles are made to have room to live inside. When you're strapped in that vehicle you're going to have a much greater chance of surviving," Jonassen said. "As a matter of fact, the last thing you want to do is to be thrown from the vehicle and have it land on top of you or to be striking stationary objects on the side of the road. You want to stay inside the vehicle."

The accident happened Tuesday about 8 p.m. on Highway 25 near Brainerd in Crow Wing County.

A 1998 Mercedes left the highway, went into the ditch and flipped.

The accident is still under investigation, but State Patrol doesn't suspect alcohol to be a factor at this point. The accident could have been caused by distracted driving.

Written for the web by Megan Matthews and Cristi Jessee.

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http://ksax.com/article/stories/S1501439.shtml?cat=10264