Woodbury

A woman died after being struck by a garbage truck last week in Woodbury, according to authorities.

Authorities said that they received reports at 6:14 a.m. Dec. 10 of a collision involving a garbage truck and a pedestrian at Autumn Drive and Autumn Bay, in the Seasons development. When police officers arrived, they found a woman who was pronounced dead at the scene. The Minnesota State Patrol was called in to conduct an accident reconstruction.

“We are awaiting the results of that reconstruction investigation by State Patrol,” said Tom Ehrenberg, a Woodbury police spokesman and patrol commander. “As this is still an active investigation, we are not identifying the victim.”

No further details about the incident were immediately disclosed Monday.

— Kristi Miller

Synagogue defaced; police seeking suspect

Police are asking for help in identifying a masked individual who defaced a South Minneapolis synagogue early Monday.

In a statement, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara detailed the incident and said police have “no tolerance” for such acts and are investigating it as a hate crime.

At about 7:10 a.m. Monday, surveillance cameras showed a person spray-painting swastikas on the doors and pillars of Temple Israel at 2323 Fremont Ave. S. The perpetrator was at the synagogue less than two minutes and was wearing a white hoodie with the hood up, a black face covering, black jogger pants and tan boots. He perpetrator arrived and departed in a silver four-door Honda Civic.

“Hate crimes and crimes against our houses of worship are particularly troubling because they can result in real widespread fear and can contribute to potential division among our residents,” O’Hara said. “MPD has no tolerance for these types of crime and will be investigating this as a bias based crime.”

“When hate is embraced or tolerated, it is emboldened and spreads,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who attends Temple Israel. “I’ve seen blatant antisemitism increase dramatically over the last year, yet too few have had the courage to speak out against it, opting for the safety of silence. No matter one’s ethnicity, race, or religion, when any group is targeted, it’s on all of us to condemn it. These nazi symbols were placed on my synagogue, where Minneapolis Jews congregate and deserve to feel safe. We don’t back down to fear. We stand strong, proud of who we are, and I know that Minneapolis — a city of inclusivity and love — stands with us. I support Chief O’Hara and our entire MPD as we search for the individual responsible for this hateful act.”

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

— Kristi Miller

Judgment upheld in fatal spray duster crash

A federal judge in Minnesota has upheld a landmark ruling that said the manufacturer of aerosol spray dusters is partially responsible for a 2019 crash that killed a Baudette woman.

U.S. District Judge John Tunheim on Nov. 26 denied CRC Industries’ request for a new trial after a jury awarded Cynthia McDougall’s family $7.75 million, saying that jurors had enough evidence to conclude the company was partially responsible for her death. The judge ruled that the family will get an additional $2.75 million in pretrial and post-verdict interest.

That brings the total award for the McDougall family to $10.5 million.

“For the McDougall family, it’s justice,” said Philip Sieff, an attorney who represents the McDougall family in the case.

CRC’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment.

— Forum News Service