Krueger Drove Million Miles Without Accident
The accident that claimed the life of Highway Patrolman Ray Krueger yesterday was made all the more disheartening to his many friends when it was learned that in more than 25 years of patrolling the state highways, Krueger had driven more than one million miles without a previous accident.
Many of the miles Krueger logged were on a motorcycle during his early years with the State Highway Patrol.
Unofficial reports of the collision gathered today showed that Krueger was more than three feet within his own lane at the time of the collision.
A witness in a car following the patrolman said he estimated Krueger’s speed at between 55 and 60 miles per hour, well within the highway limit at the accident scene. Skid marks from the patrol station wagon supported this estimate.
The same witness told officers that Barney Ostenso, driver of the second vehicle, was apparently making a left turn in front of Krueger’s car at the time of the accident. Krueger’s car was traveling west and Ostenso’s east.
Ostenso was reportedly a good friend of Krueger’s, and it was learned today that he was on his way to buy eggs from a neighbor at the time of the fatal accident.
Krueger was considered one of the best drivers on the State Patrol by fellow officers here and by many of his co-workers in this part of the state.
Ostenso was reportedly in critical condition at St. Joseph’s Hospital, but the attending physician said he was making satisfactory progress.
Brainerd Daily Dispatch
Saturday, November 21, 1959