Courtesy MN Dept. of Public Safety
Written by
The Associated Press
SAUK CENTRE, Minn. - The State Patrol is investigating a crash caused by a trooper who ran a stop sign in Stearns County.
The patrol says trooper Greg Gerhartz told investigators he had just finished a traffic stop and was entering the information into his laptop moments before the crash at the intersection of highways 29 and 71 in Sauk Centre Township.
His squad collided with a SUV driven by 80-year-old Ernest Uhlenkamp of Sauk Centre. The passenger was his 73-year-old wife Bernice Uhlenkamp.
Gerhartz reported he did not see the stop sign and tried to stop his squad before the collision.
Ernest Uhlenkamp, Bernice Uhlenkamp and Gerhartz were taken to the hospital. No one suffered life-threatening injuries but Bernice Uhlenkamp spent several days in the hospital.
When the investigation is complete, the crash will be reviewed internally by the State Patrol and the appropriate prosecuting agency. It is possible the trooper will face suspension, or perhaps criminal charges.
When asked why the crash was not reported to the public earlier, State Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske said it wasn't reported because there were no serious injuries.
Gerhartz has received seven letters of commendation and is one of the state's leading troopers for traffic safety enforcement. In 2009, he was awarded the chief's commendation award for traffic enforcement.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. )