Carlton County Mourns Loss

Posted at: 10/02/2012 3:14 PM | Updated at: 10/02/2012 11:41 PM
By: Renee Passal

They were on their way to a job site, like so many times before.

But Monday morning, Zak Gamache and Mitch Lingren's lives ended tragically in a vehicle crash.

They had been in a work truck, according to the Carlton County Transportation Department.

The Minnesota State Patrol said that a sedan driven by Vanessa Brigan crossed the centerline on Highway 210, and struck the work truck.

That hit resulted in the truck losing its axle, according to the authorities. The truck veered into the trailer being pulled by another truck.

Both men were ejected and died from their injuries, according to the state patrol. No others were hurt during the crash.

Their co-workers at the Transportation Department were notified by law enforcement.

"We were all kind of numb. To lose them in an instant, is so hard. They were our only survey crew for the county. And they were part of a great crew, who got along both during work and outside of work. We had a fantasy football league with them," said assistant engineer Milt Hagen.

"They both worked hard, and gave back to their communities. Zak was part of the Esko Volunteer Fire Department. Mitch was very involved with the Cloquet hockey program, and his kids," Hagen added.

Carlton County Attorney Thom Pertler said he just received paperwork to review from investigators on Tuesday afternoon, and has started to review it. But he said he'll be reviewing more information that he will be receiving on Wednesday.

The driver who allegedly caused this crash, Vanessa Brigan, was arrested on Monday for criminal vehicular operation, according to the state patrol. Her passenger was arrested on a previous warrant.

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Carlton County Mourns Loss

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