Dawn Braseth says she has always believed firmly in God. But Monday, after the death of her 1-year-old son, she was having doubts.
"You wonder why would he do it, why would he take two away from me?" Braseth said.
Chase Braseth, son of Dawn and Derek Braseth of Dilworth, died Monday from injuries received in a car accident Jan. 9 north of Moorhead. His 3-year-old sister, Bria, died in the crash.
Chase had remained in MeritCare Hospital since the accident. His death was expected, Dawn Braseth said.
At 14 months, Chase had just begun to walk.
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He knew a few words: mamma, dadda, this and uh-oh. From his sister Bria, he learned the word "no."
"He used to pull her hair, and she would say, 'no, no,'" their mother said.
The minivan driven by Dawn Braseth, carrying three of her children and three others attending her in-home day care, was struck by a car driven by 34-year-old Anthony J. Mastin, of Detroit Lakes, Minn.
A Minnesota State Patrol investigation showed that Braseth apparently had stopped at a stop sign while driving west on 28th Avenue, but failed to yield to Mastin, who was driving north on Highway 75.
State Patrol investigators were not available for comment Monday. The accident investigation was still ongoing last week.
Others injured in the crash were Braseths' son, Tanner, 5; Katie Klingsheim, 3, Dilworth; William Shamp, 6, Moorhead; and Kylie Vining, 4 months, Walcott, N.D.
All have been released from local hospitals.
Dawn and Tanner Braseth are recovering from injuries, she said.
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"You're so numb you don't feel anything anyway," she said.
Rev. Mark Asleson, pastor at Dilworth Lutheran Church, said Monday he is proud of the entire Braseth family for how they have dealt with their dual tragedy.
"They have a great family network that's been really compassionate and kind," Asleson said. "There's no way to do well in this situation, but they're doing the best they can."
About 450 people attended Bria Braseth's funeral Saturday, which shows how the entire town has reached out to the family, Asleson said.
Funeral services for Chase are pending, according to Anderson Funeral Home in Twin Valley, Minn.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Joy Anderson at (701) 241-5556
