A tragic accident on Interstate 90 near Adrian, Minnesota, claimed the life of a West Virginia man on Friday night. Thomas Charles Lostetter, 46, from Saint Marys, West Virginia, died at the scene after his 2018 Dodge Ram 2500 collided with a 2018 Peterbilt semi.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 10:55 p.m., near milepost 27. Both Lostetter and the semi driver, Brody William Alderson, 30, of Lake Benton, were traveling westbound when the collision occurred.
Lostetter was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash, and despite the airbag deploying, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Alderson, who was wearing his seatbelt, did not require airbag deployment and was not injured in the incident.
Assisting at the scene were the Nobles County Sheriff’s Office, Adrian Police Department, Adrian Fire, and medical personnel.
A West Virginia man tragically lost his life in a crash on Interstate 90 Friday night, near Adrian, Minnesota. The incident occurred when a 2018 Dodge Ram 2500 collided with a 2018 Peterbilt semi-truck. The crash has left the community shaken, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
The Minnesota State Patrol reported that Thomas Charles Lostetter, 46, from Saint Marys, West Virginia, was pronounced dead at the scene. Lostetter was driving his Dodge Ram westbound on I-90 when, at approximately 10:55 p.m., he collided with the semi-truck driven by Brody William Alderson, 30, from Lake Benton, Minnesota. The crash took place near milepost 27, an area on I-90 known for its high-speed traffic.
According to the initial reports, both Lostetter and Alderson were traveling westbound at the time of the accident. Lostetter was not wearing his seatbelt during the collision, which may have contributed to his fatal injuries despite the airbag deploying. On the other hand, Alderson was wearing his seatbelt, and the airbag in his semi-truck did not deploy. Fortunately, Alderson was uninjured in the crash.
The Minnesota State Patrol has been working to determine the exact cause of the crash, including whether speed, weather conditions, or other factors played a role. However, it is clear that the two vehicles collided on the westbound lanes, leading to the tragic outcome.
The response to the crash involved several local emergency services. The Nobles County Sheriff’s Office, along with Adrian Police Department, Adrian Fire Department, and medical personnel, arrived quickly to the scene. Despite their best efforts to provide aid, Lostetter was declared dead shortly after emergency crews arrived.
Local law enforcement and emergency responders are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash and have urged drivers to be cautious when traveling on I-90, especially at night when visibility may be limited.
The crash has raised important concerns about seatbelt safety, as Lostetter was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash, while Alderson was. Seatbelt use is critical in preventing fatalities in vehicle collisions, and this tragic incident highlights the life-saving importance of seatbelts, even in high-speed crashes.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, traffic accidents involving large trucks like the Peterbilt semi often require additional investigation due to the sheer size and force of the vehicles involved. The patrol has emphasized the need for all drivers to exercise caution and follow traffic laws to reduce the risk of accidents and fatalities.
In the aftermath of the crash, both families are devastated by the loss. Family members of Thomas Lostetter have yet to comment publicly on the incident, but it is clear that they are grieving the untimely loss of their loved one.
This crash has also raised concerns within the local community in Adrian, a small town in southwestern Minnesota, which typically does not see many fatal accidents on its roadways. The accident on I-90, a major interstate that runs through several states, has brought the importance of highway safety back into focus.
The Adrian community has rallied around local responders, thanking them for their quick response to the crash. As authorities continue their investigation, they are asking any potential witnesses to come forward with additional information about the events leading up to the crash. This may help authorities gain a better understanding of the collision and determine whether any further measures need to be taken to ensure safety on I-90.
