Howard Lake man dead after cycle crash
May 25, 2010 by Lynda Jensen, Editor
Filed under Featured, Howard Lake, News, Waverly
UPDATED. WAVERLY, MN – A Howard Lake man died 8 p.m. Thursday at Hennepin County Medical Center after a motorcycle crash along Highway 12 in Waverly Wednesday, May 26, according to the State Patrol.
Danny A. Freund, 44, of Howard Lake was airlifted from the scene after he apparently hit a dog that ran out onto Highway 12 while he was travelling eastbound on Highway 12. He was driving a 2002 Harley Davidson motorcycle. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the state patrol, which originally reported he had been wearing one.
The dog was a German rottweiler named “Lola,” according to the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office, Howard Lake Ambulance, and Waverly Fire Department assisted the state patrol at the scene of the accident.
Unfortunately, Danny was not wearing a helmet. You’re a journalist, do your work.
The State Patrol accident report says he was, in fact, wearing a helmet. This is the official report from the responding agency.
UPDATE: We have since checked with the State Patrol again, to verify this piece of information, and they have officially corrected their report — the trooper said he wasn’t wearing a helmet. Vanessa, you are correct.
Why is whether or not he was wearing a helmet so important? Did the fact that he was or wasn’t wearing a helmet cause the accident? It is not a law that one has to wear a helmet in Minnesota (Thank God and ABATE), so why does that always have to mentioned? I can see seat belts, that is the law. It should be mentioned in motorcycle accidents what caused the accident – it’s usually somebody in a vehicle not paying attention. A helmet isn’t going to save a biker from getting smeared all over the highway by an inattentive driver.
First I would like to express to Mr Fruend’s family that I wish the very best for his recovery. Such a tragic accident.
To: Why? I would like to address your comments with my personal opinion-
Of course the fact that he was or was not wearing a helmet did not CAUSE the accident- I believe it was stated that a dog caused the accident, therefore it would seem that it was truly an accident.
I do realize and agree that some drivers are not as attentive as they should be. A few years ago my husband lost a cousin who had been driving a motorcycling and hit by a car.
But this accident is not relevant to such a case.
I believe Vanessa’s comment was simply pointing out an error in the information provided and Mrs. Jensen’s reply stated the reason for the error. . .
Now to go on about the fact that a helmet can not save a life- I guess that depends on the quality of life that you want to have after the accident. True that a critical accident will probably result in a fatality- but in the case of a less serious accident, a helmet could mean the difference between serious brain injury or simply some broken bones, contusions, road rash, and a cracked helmet. These injuries can heal, painfully perhaps, but damage the brain and you may not be able to function anywhere near the norm.
I do know people that have been in minor cycle accidents as well as some who have been in more complex accidents- All, who thank God, wore helmets. Their beliefs are the helmets helped save their lives, or at least the lives they know. Each of them at some point hitting their head during the accident.
No, helmets will not save every cyclist’s life, nor will seat belts. I believe when God says your time is up, then it is up. But if it isn’t your time yet, then you might as well take precaution to take care of what God gave ya =)
And one more thing- I really wish helmets were required by law. One more way to help those that for whatever reason don’t seem to want to help themselves ( Or think of the loved one that will have to take care of them after a brain injury )
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Danny & family!
Shame on everyone and the helmet. It is legal to ride without a helmet. HOWEVER Waverly has a dog regulation it says all dogs must be licensed and are not allowed to run at large. The dog has been a problem since they got it as well as their other 2 dogs.
we are very sad to hear the news, You might want to think about the next time your dog takes off or gets loose. This is a very tragic accident.
People need to be held responsible for their pets. After all the pet is their responsibility. Would a helmet have saved Danny’s life? It is tough to say and we will never know. What I do know is coming home from Danny’s funeral on highway 12 there in the middle of the road was a huge golden retriever making traffic come to a complete stop. I pulled over and called the dog over, walked to the first house I found and asked if the dog belonged to them. It did and so I informed her where I was coming from and how such a wonderful human being had died as a result of a lose dog. She did not seemed phased. The problem here is not the helmet at all and is completely irrelevant in the scheme of things. A man lost his life and a family lost their lover, father, son, brother and friend to carelessness. I wish people(persons) who were commenting on here would quit throwing their two sense in and just leave it for what it is. A tragic accident that didn’t need to happen, and not turning it around to someone not wanting to help themselves. Or stressing about how lucky all your friends were in their cycle accidents who wore their helmets. Each accident is completely different and you CAN NOT in any way shape or form compare them. And it is possible to have brain injuries in a cycle accident even if you are wearing a helmet your friends were just lucky. And while I am on the subject if you have a problem with helmets not being required then take it up with lawmakers and advocate to get it changed. But what you have just done with that comment is thrown salt on the wound to all who knew and loved him. Sometimes things are better left unsaid. Danny we love you and will miss you always!!!!
My sincere sympathies to the Freund family for your loss.
Also to “Two sense is not worth it” I am sorry you were insulted by my reply to “Why”
Blogs are in essence a means of personal opinions and I merely stated mine. As Have You. I did not compare the accidents and also stated some were minor, some were not so- but all were only stated to support my belief. Again I state this is My belief and does not lessen the fact that this was a very tragic accident.
I pray God’s Grace will blanket the friends and family and give them His Peace.
I tried twice yesterday to post an apology to friends and family of Danny, but my computer kept kicking me off. I realized after reading all the posts following mine how inappropriate it was. My question/comments caused pain to you all and I truly am sorry, as that was not my intent.
I think that is is a shame that this was a totally avoidable accident. The dog should never have been running lose, as it always it. And that the city of Waverly does nothing to enforce their so called leash law. The dog is still running lose and an eight year old little has lost her dad forever. Shame on the dog owners and the city of Waverly!
How many of you have a dog that has gotten off the leash on accident, honestly cant people just stop spreading drama about there neighbors dogs, fact of the matter is that dannys gone and hopefully people understand that accidents happen every day all over the place, and just because it happened here or there or any where else it was still an accident. Our prayers are for danny and his family.
I am a pet owner in the City of Waverly, and I assume full responsibility for my pets. These dogs(3)in question, have NEVER been on a leash or fenced. There has been many times where I am in MY yard and I turn and am confronted by one of these dogs. These are not mutts – they are Doberman’s, Rottweiller and of the Bull Dog breed. Would you like to tangle with one of these in YOUR yard ! ? These people need to be made responsible for THEIR dogs running at large, and the City of Waverly needs to take action to correct this problem.
@two sense is not worth it says
On June 2nd you wrote about a large golden retriever bringing traffic to a halt. A co-worker of mine stated that she experienced the same thing the morning of June 14th in Waverly. She circled back and followed the dog to a residence but no one answered.
Very true. People who own pets need to take full responsiblity for them, just as you would with your children. And no it just wasn’t an accident, it was a wrongful death. And yes the owner of these dogs need to contain them at all times. You live in town and on a major highway. Apparently they didn’t learn there lesson when last year there yellow lab got hit by a truck in the same spot. And who knows how many other dogs have been hit that belong to them. The Human Society has been contacted of the incidences. And I’m sorry people are not spreading drama. They are concerned for the family and want to know what action is going to be taken. Maybe if this family didn’t start any drama, there wouldn’t be any problems. And it is a fact anyone can google it online that they just happen to file for bankruptcy in April.
My prayers are with the family and I hope they file a wrongful death suit against this family for there irresponsible actions.