Victims In Speeding Driver Crash Are Special Ed Teachers In Coon Rapids

The couple struck by a speeding driver in Robbinsdale Saturday evening – killing one and leaving the other critical – have been identified as special education teachers at a Coon Rapids school.

Coon Rapids Middle School confirmed the victims are Emily and John Gerding, both 34. Emily died in the crash while her husband, John, remains in critical but stable condition at North Memorial Hospital as of Monday morning.

He suffered a broken right leg, right wrist, fracture on the right side and base of his skull, a fractured left clavicle and a collapsed lung, according to his CaringBridge post.

In an update to the post on Sunday, John is able to breathe on his own again and is showing "good signs of healing."

A GoFundMe has been launched for the family, which has raised more than $33,000 as of Monday lunchtime. The couple have two daughters aged 6 and 3, neither of whom were in their vehicle when it was struck by a driver in a Tesla who police say was fleeing an attempted traffic stop.

"The family is facing significant expenses for Emily's funeral, John's ongoing medical care, and looking toward their girls' future. All donations will go to John and their girls," the fundraiser says.

"[Emily and John] were about to celebrate their 7th wedding anniversary in August. Emily would have celebrated her 35th birthday later this month. She was busy planning the party for [their youngest daughter's] upcoming 3rd birthday this month as well."

The crash happened at the intersection of N. Orchard and 36th avenues after 8:15 p.m. A 20-year-old Minneapolis man, who remains in North Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, had fled an attempted police traffic stop minutes earlier.

Robbinsdale Police said an officer initially attempted to make the stop but as they activated their lights, the driver "accelerated rapidly and fled from the officer," striking the Gerdings' vehicle a short time later.

Robbinsdale Police spokesperson John Elder said in a news conference the driver was attempting to flee a speeding ticket.

"It is so senseless and so tragic and so many lives have been changed forever because of one person's decision," Elder said.

According to the Star Tribune, the 20-year-old being held on suspicion of criminal vehicular operation. Bring Me The News typically doesn't identify suspects until they are officially charged.

SOURCE: Bring Me The News