---

It has been approximately one year since last summer’s double fatality crash on Pioneer Road, close to the line between Chisago City and Wyoming that took the lives of a 76 year old man and a 64 year old woman. Prosecutors announce a recent guilty plea has been accepted in this case. Sentencing for the driver who reportedly crossed the centerline, is scheduled for May 28.   

Richard John Pojanowski, 64, of Lindstrom entered a plea to a count of careless driving.  His wife, Debbra,  a passenger in their Honda CRV, was one of the victims. The other person killed was a passenger in a Dodge Caravan.  

Judge Dowdal will impose sentence May 28.  

Meanwhile, City of Wyoming Chief of Police Neil Bauer says Pioneer Road saw some scrutiny, soon after the April 26 double fatality.  Speed studies done last year yielded data from readout devices showing traffic was traveling around 37 mph—close to the speed posted, which was 40 miles per hour.  

The Wyoming city council dropped the speed to 30 mph about three months after the crash and continuning traffic data collection still shows a median speed of 37. 

Chief Bauer observed that Pioneer Road incidents appear to not be related to  any single causation or design. Weather and road conditions are most evident in the record of initial complaints. 

 Bauer added,  in reviewing eight reports  of recent crash history along  Pioneer, (from the light on Hwy 8 and toward Wyoming Trail) “...speed did not appear to be a predominant cause, despite perception.”

There have been two mailboxes struck, two deer collisions, and four cars off the road in the ditch with a couple due to snowy conditions. Two personal injury incidents (the double-fatal and another) are part of this count.

Traffic counts in the speed studies were 5,000 cars (the count approaching the device) in August 2024 and 9,581 in October 2024.

---