Mangled mess drives life-saving message in BP
For the second straight year, the mangled wreckage of Kaitlyn Hansen’s vehicle will be on display this week as well as throughout the Fourth of July celebration in Blooming Prairie. Hansen was a 16-year-old student at Fillmore Central High School who was killed by a drunk driver in January 2016 near Chatfield. Courtesy Blooming Prairie Police
As folks gear up for the holiday week, Officer Brad Busho has found a horrifying image to drive home the importance of not climbing behind the wheel after drinking.
Blooming Prairie Police are showcasing this week the mangled wreckage of the vehicle driven by a teenager killed by a drunk driver for the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration.
The vehicle will be on display for motorists traveling through Blooming Prairie on Highway 218 near downtown. It will be moved to the empty lot on Main Street next to B to Z Hardware in time for this weekend’s street dance.
“For me, I need to see something to believe it before it sinks in,” said Busho. “And this mangled mess will.”
Busho said wants the vehicle to be visible from over the fence at the beer garden on Saturday night. “The message is you’re not invincible and it can happen to you or your family member,” he said. “I’m just hoping it sends out a message of what can happen and that it can happen to anyone.”
This is the second year in a row Blooming Prairie has offered the crash car as a testament to the devastation caused by drunk driving. Busho said the department received good reaction last year from the community. “I think it opened some eyes,” he said.
The twisted wreckage was a vehicle driven by Kaitlyn Hansen, who was a junior at Fillmore Central High School. She was killed by a drunk driver in 2016 near Chatfield. Her vehicle has been making the rounds throughout southern Minnesota, including last year’s Steele County Free Fair.
Hansen was driving on Highway 52 between Chatfield and Fountain on Jan. 28, 2016 when she crashed head-on into a pickup that crossed over the centerline. Cindy Mueske, 56, of Eyota was found to have been traveling at least 84 miles per hour when the crash occurred. Tests after the deadly wreck found Mueske had a blood alcohol level between .08 and .15 with marijuana in her system. She was later sentenced to four years in prison for criminal vehicular homicide.
Busho makes no excuses when it comes to his department’s aggressive approach on DWI enforcement. While there have been no serious crashes involving drugs or alcohol in the Blooming Prairie area over the past year, Busho said officers are still finding “a lot of DWIs” coming through town.
“Go have fun, but think twice before getting behind the wheel,” Busho said.
He likes to think the message is getting across to people. Within the past year, Busho has noticed there are often 8-10 vehicles left behind after the bars close.
“People are making a decision to call a friend or walk home,” he said. “It’s making a local impact.”
Besides displaying the crash car, local officers will be stepping up DWI enforcement throughout the entire month of July, which is known for excessive drunk driving.
Busho’s advice is direct and straight forward.
“Plan ahead for a sober cab, drink responsible and if you’ve been drinking, stay off the roadways.”