Blue was the driver of a car that crashed into several trees in Orono on July 24 and killed Mack Motzko, 20, and Samuel Schuneman, 24. The crash was at an intersection of two roads that are both 55 mph zones. English speaker. An Orono man who pleaded guilty to killing two people in a high-speed, drunken-driving crash last summer learned his fate Thursday. He was scheduled to fly to Phoenix last Friday, but moved the return flight to Sunday morning to spend another day with friends. The initial report had one person deceased at the scene and two others with serious injuries. A Hubbard Broadcasting Company, deaths of 20-year-old Mack Motzko and 24-year-old Sam Schuneman, traveling between 94 and 99 mph in a Bentley Flying Spur. Voty said Rolison did not mention seeing anyone and continued driving west toward the mall in Lakewood. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. The Orono Police Department said in a release that lab results showed Blues blood alcohol content to be 0.175. She also mentioned how the victims loved ones chose not to speak in court, but rather wrote 20 letters to help guide her decision. Lakewood Fire Department was assisted by Lakewood-Busti Police, Chautauqua County Sheriffs Office, the Fire Investigation Team, and National Grid. An Orono man whose two passengers died when he crashed his car into a cluster of trees near his Lake Minnetonka home turned himself into authorities Wednesday and was charged with criminal vehicular homicide. Cloud hockey community his father had previously been the head coach for the St. Witnesses told police Blue had been drinking shots of liquor and had consumed THC gummies prior to the crash. The Chautauqua County Health Department has lifted the boil water order for all Village of Fredonia water Jamestown Public Schools will do away with its Red Raiders name at the high school within the next two years. James David Blue, 51, drove off North Shore Drive on Saturday around 11:30 p.m., striking the trees before being thrown from his 2017 Bentley. In court Tuesday, the 52-year-old Blue admitted to Judge Regina Chu that he did shots of tequila and took a THC gummy before speeding out of his driveway and crashing into a grove of trees,. I just saw her in the crosswalk.. Voty, questioned by Schmidt on what Rolison said after the accident, said he never saw her. James David Blue, 51, is being held in the Hennepin County Jail on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide, according to the county's online inmate search. A blood sample indicated Blue had a blood-alcohol content of 0.175, more than twice the legal limit. Reach him at 320-255-8772or bmozey@stcloudtimes.com. Blue and Motzko, who was in the back seat, were transported to North Memorial Hospital. A native of Warroad, Minn. (the real Hockeytown USA), Myers has a degree in journalism/communications from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Firefighters discovered a heavily damaged vehicle from impact and human remains in the vehicle. The Minnesota State Patrol is assisting with the accident investigation and reconstruction, while the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office assisted with the crash. The crash killed passengers Sam . Mick Hatten/The Rink Live, Six friends of Sam Schuneman gathered at a memorial in Orono, Minn., at the site where Schuneman was killed, along with Mack Motzko, in a car accident on the night of Saturday, July 24, 2021. Motzko, the oldest son of Minnesota Gophers hockey coach Bob Motzko, had split time in junior hockey between teams in South Dakota and New Mexico last winter. Two counts of third-degree murder and two counts of criminal vehicular homicide will be dismissed at sentencing set for May 5, according to . ezeRoad New Mexico. Two counts of third-degree murder and two counts of criminal vehicular homicide will be dismissed at sentencing set for May 5, according to Hennepin County district court documents. James David Blue, 51, drove off North Shore Drive on Saturday around 11:30 p.m., striking the trees before being thrown from his 2017 Bentley. Schuneman was in the front passenger seat of the vehicle and Motzko was in the back seat. A GoFundMe fundraiser collected just over $40,000, and Infinity Visual and Performing Arts partnered with members of the community to raffle off items. There was no alcohol detected during the alert test, she said. Contact Jess via email at jrmyers@forumcomm.com, or find him on Twitter via @JessRMyers. Schmidt said Januarys preliminary hearing was to ensure Rolison was held for grand jury action. We are doing everything within our power to protect and preserve our right as a community to ensure that justice is served here.. Any person with disabilities who needs help accessing the content of the FCC Public File may contact KSTP via our online form or call 651-646-5555, This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. On Wednesday afternoon, July 28, Blue appeared at the Orono Police Department, where he was arrested at 4:49 p.m. on probable cause for two counts of criminal vehicular homicide. Big change to South Dakota's violent parole system heads to Gov. They were kind, caring, hardworking, and true role models for those fortunate enough to have known them, Judge Chu said from the bench, adding, the joy and happiness that your sons brought to so many lives will not will not be forgotten.. Or; Accidents; Traffic; Weather; DOT reports . Another truck arrived on location and firefighters began extinguishing the fire. Data obtained from the airbag module of the vehicle indicated a speed of 94-99 mph seconds before the crash, according to the Orono Police Department. ORONO, Minn. (WCCO) -- The driver in a deadly crash that killed two men, including the Gopher hockey coach's son, learned his fate on Thursday. Originally from the Twin Cities, Schuneman had attended Minnesota State University in Mankato and had moved to the Phoenix area. Blue was treated for injuries at North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale and later released. And as you were driving down Sixth Street, did you hear anyone any car horns beeping at you? Barone asked. Witnesses reported seeing a vehicle going 100 mph before it crashed. KSTP-TV, LLC READ MORE:St. Police say Blue was speeding and went off North Shore Drive before he struck several trees just after 11 p.m. Schuneman died at the scene, while Motzko and Blue were transported to the. Cloud Cathedral High School, helping the Crusaders earn two third-place finishes in the state Class A tournament. He was killed in a car accident in Orono, Minn., on Saturday, July 24, 2021. The BCA later determinedBlues blood-alcohol level was .175 twice the legal limit. #right_column_inside #mc_embed_signup #mc_embed_signup_scroll .button {margin:3px auto 0 auto; width:150px !important} While friends said Schuneman was primarily a backyard pond hockey player, his father, Tom, is the chair of the Minnesota Special Hockey Board, which promotes the sport for people with special needs. The driver, identified as James David Blue, 51, was taken to the hospital with severe injuries after the crash that killed Mack Motzko, 20, son of Gophers hockey coach Bob Motzko, and Sam . James D. Blue, 51, was charged Monday in Hennepin County District Court with four counts of criminal vehicular homicide in the deaths of Mack Motzko, 20, and Sam Schuneman, 24. Sam Schuneman, 24, died Saturday night at the scene of an accident on North Shore Drive in Orono, near Lake Minnetonka. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. I was freaking out, but those were the words I said, yes., He was turning and it was doing the bump thing. A native of Warroad, Minn. (the real Hockeytown USA), Myers has a degree in journalism/communications from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Mick Hatten/The Rink Live, Six friends of Sam Schuneman gathered at a memorial in Orono, Minn., at the site where Schuneman was killed, along with Mack Motzko, in a car accident on the night of Saturday, July 24, 2021. They will suffer for such a long time.. Authorities Monday identified the driver as James David Blue, who was taken to the hospital with severe injuries. Jess Myers / The Rink Live, A piece of chrome remained embedded in a tree at the site of a fatal car accident in Orono, Minn. We will be making no further statements at this time and ask for privacy as we continue to process and grieve the loss of Mack and Sam.. Rolison, 58, is facing charges of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving a death and driving while ability impaired by drugs. Mack Motzko, 20, left, and Sam Schuneman, 24, were killed in the weekend crash. Sara Rafaloski, Hughans mother, said in a phone interview this week the family has been kept updated on the investigation and appreciates the work being put in by police and the DAs office. He had plans to play for a team in British Columbia in the coming season. And at any point between Sixth Street and the Chautauqua Mall did Mr. Rolison ever indicate to you that he knew he hit someone? he asked. Robert Samuelson of the Jamestown Police Department said this week. Judge Chu sentences James Blue to 90 months (7.5 years) in prison2/3 of time behind barsafter a deadly crash that killed two men last summer in Orono. Records indicate Rolison posted bond Feb. 4 and was later released from Chautauqua County Jail. Copyright Marshall Independent | https://www.marshallindependent.com | 508 W. Main St., Marshall, MN 56258 | 507-537-1551. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) An Orono man who crashed his car last month and killed two passengers, including the son of the Minnesota mens hockey team, had a blood alcohol content of more than twice the legal limit, police said. This article originally appeared on St. https://www.startribune.com/orono-man-charged-jailed-after-lake-minnetonka-crash-kills-two-passengers/600082510/, P.O. /usr/web/www.marshallindependent.com/wp-content/themes/coreV2/single.php .woocommerce-product-gallery{ opacity: 1 !important; } At 11:47 p.m. on Saturday night, Orono police reported a fatal accident at the intersection of North Shore Drive and Bohns Point Road. The Lakewood Fire Department, on its Facebook page, reported that at 9 p.m., it was dispatched to a vehicle fire in the vicinity of the Lakewood Community/Dog Park on Terrace Avenue. ORONO, Minn. The driver in a Saturday night crash that killed two young men has voluntarily turned himself in. Its been overwhelming with the support of the community, Rafaloski said. An Orono man whose two passengers died when he crashed his car into a cluster of trees near his Lake Minnetonka home turned himself into authorities Wednesday and was charged with criminal vehicular homicide. #newsletter #mc_embed_signup .mc-field-group {margin-top:5px;}. We express our thanks to the Court for the professional and compassionate manner in which it has handled this horrific and senseless tragedy. A 51-year-old Orono man was driving near his Lake Minnetonka home when he crashed into a grove of trees, killing two young men who were passengers in his car. Police said Schuneman, 24, and Motzko, 20, were both wearing seatbelts. He returned to Minnesota often and had been visiting friends this month. On Wednesday afternoon, James David Blue, 51, appeared at the Orono Police Department, where he was arrested on probable cause of two counts of criminal vehicular homicide. According to state law, he will appear before a judge before noon on Friday. Todays guilty plea by Mr. Blue is but the next step in achieving justice for Mack and Sam, the families of Motzko and Schuneman said in a statement. It started like, it stalled out, she said. Blue's personal Facebook page, which on Monday showed pictures taken from his home on the lake, appears to have been deleted. The judge will determine whether he will be allowed to post bail, and if so, for what amount. The crash killed passengers Sam Schuneman, 24,. Copyright Post Journal | https://www.post-journal.com | PO Box 3386, Jamestown, NY 14702 | 716-487-1111. According to NSMP, a 2016 Chevy sedan driven by . Thursday, Judge Regina Chu sentenced Blue to seven-and-a-half years (90 months) in prison 42 months on one count and 48 months on the other in line with what prosecutors recommended. The driver, identified as James David Blue, 51, was taken to the hospital with severe injuries after the crash that killed Mack Motzko, 20, son of Gophers hockey coach Bob Motzko, and Sam Schuneman, 24, of Maple Grove. The accident happened when a car driven by Blue, 51, went off the road at a high rate of speed and struck a group of trees, according to police. He had strong ties to the St. I had no idea., On the sidewalk, yeah. We see that you have javascript disabled. He was booked into Hennepin County jail Wednesday afternoon, according to Orono police. Inside the crashed car, officers found Schuneman who was pronounced dead at the scene and Motzko who died at a hospital soon after. The incident was then upgraded to a motor vehicle accident. James David Blue is on Facebook. Schuneman was in the front seat and was pronounced dead at the scene. Motzko, the oldest son of University of Minnesota mens hockey coach Bob Motzko, had split time in junior hockey between teams in South Dakota and New Mexico last winter. St. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. I was freaking out, but those were the words I said, yes.. Just moments before a car hauler is believed to have struck a 15-year-old girl in Jamestown on New Years Eve, a passenger in the semi let out a scream. Asked by Schmidt what happened when the traffic light turned green on North Main Street, Voty said she believed the semi briefly stalled. While the families are relieved to avoid the trauma of a trial, they remain steadfastly committed to holding Mr. Blue accountable and securing full and complete justice for Mack and Sam.. Cloud hockey community mourns death of former Cathedral player Mack Motzko, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Cloud State men's team -- and played three seasons for St. . The driver, identified as James David Blue, 51, was taken to the hospital with severe injuries after the crash that killed Mack Motzko, 20, son of Gophers hockey coach Bob Motzko, and Sam Schuneman, 24, of Maple Grove. Carlson testified that she performed an alert test on Rolison in the mall parking lot to determine whether there was a presence of alcohol. He came to FCC in 2018 after three decades of covering sports as a freelancer for a variety of publications, while working full time in politics and media relations. The first state trooper on the scene,. We are made to. Schuneman, of Maple Grove, wasin the passenger seat and died at the scene, while Motzko, who was in the backseat, wastakento North Memorial Hospital. Motzko and. Witnesses from the party told officers that Blue had been taking shots of liquor and had consumed THC edibles, according to the complaint. The legal limit for driving in Minnesota is 0.08. The accident happened when a car driven by Blue, 51, went off the road at a high rate of speed and struck a group of trees, according to police. He saw her on the sidewalk before we stopped., She added, He just said that he saw her on the sidewalk because I said I saw her and then he said he saw her on the sidewalk and I never saw her on the sidewalk. ST. PAUL Leaders of the Republican minority at the Minnesota Legislature rolled out a $13 billion Give It Man sentenced for Minneapolis student athletes death The crash happened when a car driven by Blue went off the road at a high rate of speed and struck a group of trees, according to Orono police, who said that alcohol and speed appear to have been factors. Killed in the crash were his. James David Blue, 52, was intoxicated and driving nearly 100 mph when he crashed his 2017 Bentley Flying Spur in a wooded area near Lake Minnetonka last July, according to a criminal complaint . James David Blue Death | Obituary | James David Blue Dead | Died | Funeral Plans - We heard about the great loss, that our beloved person is no more and has reportedly passed away. Blue turned himself in to the Orono Police Department in late July. Best Match Powered by Whitepages Premium AGE 60s James Darren Blue Granite Falls, MN Aliases Levi James Blue View Full Report Addresses Crews remained on scene until around 12:30 this morning. Earlier during the preliminary hearing, officer Alexis Carlson with the Jamestown Police Department spoke. Select the best result to find their address, phone number, relatives, and public records. Jess Myers covers college hockey, as well as outdoors, general sports and travel, for The Rink Live and the Forum Communications family of publications. According to police, Schuneman was in the front passenger seat of the vehicle at the time of the crash and Motzko was in the back seat. The Orono Police Department said in August that lab results showed Blue had a blood-alcohol level of 0.175 after the crash. Hughans body came to rest on West Sixth Street, just west of the Washington Street intersection. Sam Schuneman, 24, died Saturday night at the scene of an accident on North Shore Drive in Orono, near Lake Minnetonka. James David Blue, 51, of Orono, Minn., was driver in crash that killed Sam Schuneman and Mack Motzko, police say. Mack Motzko graduated from St. #right_column_inside #mc_embed_signup .clear {text-align:center;} Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. He lives in the Twin Cities. He had strong ties to the St. Brian Mozey is the high school sports reporter for the St. Jamestown Public Schools will do away with its Red Raiders name at the high school within the next two years. HomeClassifiedsAboutContactAdvertise. James David Blue, 52, pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal vehicular homicide (operating a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration 0.08 or more) for the deaths of 20-year-old Mack Motzko and 24-year-old Sam Schuneman on July 24, 2021, in Orono. Judge Chu said she believed Blue had taken responsibility for his actions since the crash. ', Death toll keeps rising in Greece's deadliest train crash, Brunt of storm moving out of SoCal, light showers on tap Wednesday, Celebrating Steve: Karlin Covers Dance night at Lake Robbins Ballroom, Ice flies off SUV and smashes windshield on I-495 in Massachusetts, Palestinians living in refugee camps are being paid $350 to fight for Russia in Ukraine: report. At about 4 p.m. Wednesday, the driver, 51-year-old James Blue, turned himself in at the Orono Police Department. James David Blue, 51, is being held in the Hennepin County Jail on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide, according to the county's online inmate search. 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