9 October 2023
CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Minn. A 16-year-old Century High School student was killed in a three-vehicle crash in Cascade Township just outside Rochester on Saturday, Oct. 7, according to Olmsted County Sheriff’s Capt. Tim Parkin.
According to Parkin:
Deputies responded to a crash at the intersection of Broadway Avenue North near Woodridge Lane Northeast around 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
One of the drivers, Davin Tukua, was trapped inside his vehicle. He was eventually extracted by deputies with the help of good samaritans. While first responders attempted life-saving measures, Tukua, a Century High School student, was pronounced dead at the scene.
While the cause of the crash is under investigation, Parkin said preliminary reports show that Tukua was headed southbound on Broadway when his vehicle crossed the center line and crashed into another vehicle going northbound. A third vehicle rear-ended the other vehicle going northbound.
Minor injuries were reported from at least one of the drivers from the other two vehicles, a 64-year-old Wabasha man and a 32-year-old Rochester man.
Contradicting some social media reports about the crash, Parkin said preliminary information shows this crash was not a hit-and-run, as all the vehicles involved were disabled following the crash.
A GoFundMe has been started by the family to help cover funeral expenses. As of Monday morning, more than $12,000 has been raised.
“Davin was an incredible young man: an amazing son and brother, an adventurous cousin, kind, gentle & fun with his younger cousins and a wonderful friend to so many people. His bright smile and energy always lit up a room,” part of the GoFundMe reads. “Davin will forever be in our hearts and everyone else’s heart that he touched with his bright light. His memory will forever be cherished as a bright light extinguished far too soon.”
The crash happened over Century’s homecoming weekend. In an email to families and staff, Rochester Public Schools Superintendent Kent Pekel said the district learned about the crash on Saturday evening, shortly before the homecoming dance. The school opted to have the dance to give students the chance to “be together at what may be a difficult time.”
“We are thinking of the family and friends of the Century student who lost their life this evening, and we will provide additional information and assistance in the days ahead,” Pekel said in the email.
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