Unbelted Man Dies In Head-On Crash With Semi: State Patrol

A 38-year-old Minnesota man is dead after a crash on Highway 23 outside Mora in Kanabec County Tuesday.

Brian John Rodenborg, of Mora, was driving a Chevy Malibu westbound on Highway 23 when it crossed over the center line and hit the Volvo semi, traveling eastbound, head-on at highway speeds.

Rodenborg was killed in the crash. He was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the incident, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

Igor Kovalchuk, the driver of the semi, did not suffer injuries in the crash. Kovalchu is from Woodridge, Illinois.

Most Minnesotans buckle up

The 2016 Minnesota Observational Seat Belt Survey results show:

• A 93 percent compliance for front seat occupants
• Males continue to buckle up at a lower rate (90 percent) compared with females (96.5 percent)
• Pickup drivers have the lowest seat belt use
• Pickup truck seatbelt use: 83.6 percent
• Van/Minivan: 92.8 percent
• SUV: 95.2 percent

Minnesota Seat Belt Law

• Minnesota’s seat belt law is a primary offense, meaning drivers and passengers in all seating positions — including in the backseat — must be buckled up or in the correct child restraint.
• Law enforcement will stop and ticket unbelted drivers or passengers. A seat belt ticket is $25 but can cost more than $100 with fees.
• Drivers will be ticketed for unbelted passengers ages 14 and younger. Unbelted passengers age 15 and older will be ticketed directly.

Image via Kanabec County sheriff’s office