Judge considers wrongful death lawsuit against state agency

Published 10:07 am Tuesday, May 26, 2015

WASECA — A judge will decide within 90 days whether a wrongful death lawsuit involving a former Minnesota State University football player will go forward.

Fred Statz had just left Waseca High School where he coached football in November 2012 when he collided with a semi at an intersection and died of his injuries.

Statz’s parents sued the Minnesota Department of Transportation because the agency changed the intersection from a four-way to a two-way stop just days before the crash without any notification. The Free Press reports Bill and Kathy Statz say MnDOT was negligent in controlling the intersection.

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MnDOT argues it has discretion to make changes to the signage at the intersection and is asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit.