Hockey legend Herb Brooks died from injuries suffered when he was thrown from his minivan in a single-car accident, according to a report released Tuesday by the Anoka County, Minn., coroner.
The report lists the cause of death as "multiple blunt force chest and abdominal injuries," and states that the injuries occurred because Brooks, 66, was unrestrained and ejected when he lost control of his vehicle Monday.
Brooks was not wearing a seatbelt. He was found about 40 yards away from his Toyota Sienna. The Penguins' director of player development was returning home from a U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame-sponsored golf tournament in Biwabik, about three hours north of Minneapolis/St. Paul. He was about 20 miles north of the Twin Cities when the accident occurred.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety spokesman Kevin Smith said the inquiry into the cause of the accident should be completed within the week. Investigators yesterday interviewed four eyewitnesses and completed the reconstruction effort at the site of the accident. They are currently examining the vehicle. The autopsy report was released at the close of business yesterday, and a separate toxicology report will follow within the next couple of weeks.
"When all those pieces come together and everyone gets done, the experts involved meet as a group and discuss their findings," Smith said. "That will lead them down a path to a conclusion."
Witnesses saw Brooks' vehicle drift slowly onto the right shoulder and into the grass before swerving back hard left across three lanes of traffic. When the vehicle reached the median, it rolled several times on its side. The accident occurred around 2:40 p.m.
Police did find a cell phone in the car, but Smith said they did not believe he was using it at the time of the accident. Smith also did not believe that alcohol was a factor. Weather conditions along the highway, where the speed limit is 70 miles per hour, were "perfect," Smith said.
Penguins spokesman Keith Wehner said there will be discussions on how to memorialize Brooks, who coached the team in 1999-2000 and was a longtime friend of general manager Craig Patrick. Patrick was an assistant coach under Brooks on the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" men's Olympic team that beat heavily-favored Russia and went on to win the gold medal. Brooks was with the Penguins for the last eight years in various capacities.
Public visitation will be held Friday from 2 to 9:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Cathedral in Brooks' hometown of St. Paul. The funeral will Saturday at 10 a.m., also at St. Paul's. According to the Penguins, donation information will be forthcoming.
