Community Corner

Minnetonka Student Dies on Icy Road

Rosie DelMain died when the car she is traveling in is broadsided on an icy road Monday night.

The 14-year-old girl who was killed in a car crash Monday night on Highway 101 in Chanhassen was a student at . Rosie DelMain was also the daughter of Chinese teacher, Paul DelMain, 48. The father and daughter were only blocks from their home. 

Minnetonka Schools spokesperson, Janet Swiecichowski said in a statement, "Our hearts are heavy with sorrow."

DelMain was killed when an SUV broadsided the car in which she was a passenger. Her father was driving the car; he was taken to HCMC with minor injuries.

Find out what's happening in Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Loralee Iverson's son was in DelMain's class at MME. She detailed how he learned of his friend's death: "He texted me from the bus and said Rosie wasn't on. When they got to school everyone was crying." 

According to Minnesota State Patrol reports, at 8 p.m., Monday evening, the DelMains were traveling northbound on Highway 101 in their 1999 Ford Escort, when Paul DelMain lost control and slid into oncoming traffic. A 2004 Ford Explorer traveling southbound, swerved to the right but could not avoid the DelMains. That Ford Explorer hit the front passenger door of the Ford Escort, killing Rosie DelMain. The report described road conditions as, "icy."

Find out what's happening in Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There were five people in the SUV. According to the state patrol, at least four of them were teenagers. One passenger, 16, was transported to HCMC with minor injuries. None of the other passengers was injured. 

In an email, Minnetonka Middle Schoool Principal Pete Dymit remembered DelMain, "Rosie was an outgoing, bright, worldly MME 8th grader, who had recently returned from a study abroad in France.  She was a citizen of the world. She was fluent in Chinese, spoke French, was learning German, traveled extensively and spent many summers with her family in China and at Chinese camp. She was a friend to many and will be deeply missed."

One of those friends who will miss her is classmate Boston Iverson, 14. 

"She would stand up for someone if they were being made fun of," he said.  "She was a really nice person." 

*****

According to the Carver County Sheriff's Office, the fatal accident occurred on Highway 101 near Choctaw Circle, only blocks from the DelMain home. Initial reports from the Minnesota Highway Patrol had stated that the accident occurred two blocks north at the intersection of Highway 101 and Pleasantview Road. 

Using that information Minnetonka Patch published an article in which neighbors of the DelMain family, who live on Pleasantview Road, called the intersection of Highway 101 and Pleasantview Road "dangerous."


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