Joe DrennanStaff Writer
Andrew Radke, 14, lost his life in an ATV accident that left his friend Robert Hamer, 15, in critical condition. The two boys are from Linwood Township.
Radke was driving an ATV with Hamer as his passenger around 8:10 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of W. Fawn Road NE and Fawn Lake Drive NE in Linwood Township when the ATV crashed into a tree. The accident happened close to Radkeís home at 8450 NE 237th St.
Witnesses said the ATV accelerated as it turned a corner, Capt. Rob Bredsten of the Anoka County Sheriffís Department said.
Both boys were transported to Fairview Lakes Regional Medical Center in Wyoming. The boys were later transferred to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, and later to Gillette Childrenís Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul. Radke passed away Sunday night from head injuries suffered in the accident. Hamer is still in critical condition.
ìTheyíre not used to dealing with a loss of a classmate,î Southwest Junior High Principal Marc Peterson said of the students at Southwest. ìYou canít make any sense of it, especially when youíre 14 and 15-years-old.î
Peterson said they school provided areas for the students to go and talk to each other and console each other as they dealt with their grief.
Capt. Bredsten said the accident is still under investigation.
There was a candlelit vigil for Radke Tuesday night at the site of the accident. His funeral is today, Thursday, Jan. 15, 10:30 a.m. at St. Peterís Catholic Church in Forest Lake.
Andrew Radke is survived by his parents George and Kathi; sisters Staci (Justin) Smith, Kristi (Blake Groshong) Radke; and brother Michael Radke.
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