Royalton Superintendent Dies in Crash
A 49-year-old St. Cloud man was jailed after his pickup truck rear-ended a car driven by John P. Franzoia, 62, the long-time superintendent of Royalton Public Schools. Franzoia died Saturday, one day after the collision.
The St. Cloud Times reported that police detected alcohol in the driver of the pickup truck, Dale Matthies, 49. According to a report by the Minnesota State Patrol, Matthies’ vehicle slammed into the rear of a Mazda car driven by Franzoia, who was superintendent in Royalton the past 18 years. Matthies was not seriously injured.
The collision occurred at 6:11 p.m. near the intersection of Minnesota Hwy. 15 and Stearns County Road 1. Sartell Police assisted the State Patrol in responding to the crash.
When someone dies in a Minnesota car accident due to the negligence of another, the spouse and next of kin can recover monetary damages for the car accident death under Minnesota Statutes, section 573. Punitive damages for the car accident death can be recovered when someone demonstrates for the court that the acts of the defendant show deliberate disregard for the rights or safety of others.
When you suffer injuries or the loss of a family member in a car crash that is due, even in part, to the involvement of alcohol, the lawyers at Pritzker Olsen Attorneys always investigate whether a dram shop claim should be pursued.
A spouse, child, parent, guardian, employer, or other person injured in person, property, or means of support, or who incurs other pecuniary loss by an intoxicated person or by the intoxication of another person, has a right of action in the person’s own name for all damages sustained against a person who caused the intoxication of that person by illegally selling alcoholic beverages.
Franzoia was an award-winning superintendent who was widely admired for his dedication to the well-being of the district’s 700-plus students. School Board Chairman Thomas Justin told the St. Cloud Times that Franzoia was dedicated, hard-working conscientious and loyal. “The viability of the district was first,” Justin said.
Phil Gurbada, a principal in the school district, said Franzoia’s death is a major shock to the community.
“I’m feeling a lot of grief. John is a good friend. I’ve worked with him a long time.”
