Brooks Possibly Asleep During Fatal Crash

Minneapolis, MN -- Former U.S. Olympic and NHL hockey coach Herb Brooks was most likely asleep when he died in a car crash, according to a Tuesday report issued by the Minnesota State Patrol.

"Based on witness statements and examination of evidence, State Patrol investigators believe that Brooks most likely fell asleep at the wheel," the statement revealed.

Brooks, who was 66 years old, died on Aug. 11 while driving near Forest Lake, Minn. Driving without a seat belt, Brooks was tossed from his vehicle after he veered off the road. The report stated that excessive speed, alcohol, or the use of a cell phone were not factors in his death.

Brooks, the coach of the "Miracle on Ice" U.S. Olympic hockey team in 1980, also guided the Americans to a silver medal in the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.

The St. Paul native played for the University of Minnesota from 1955-59 and was a member of the 1964 and 1968 U.S. Olympic teams. He then coached his alma mater from 1972-79, leading the Gophers to three NCAA titles.

However, Brooks will always be known best for leading the U.S. national team to a seemingly impossible victory over the Soviet Union in the semifinals at the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid.

The 1980 American team, which consisted mainly of college students, defeated the powerful Russians, 4-3, in what is widely considered one of the greatest upsets in sports history. The Soviet team had won eight of the nine previous gold medals. The United States then beat Finland in the gold medal game.

Brooks also coached the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Minnesota North Stars after the 1980 Olympic gold medal run. He had an NHL career coaching record of 219-221-66-2. His last season as an NHL coach came with the Penguins in 1999-00, when he led Pittsburgh to a 29-23-5-2 mark. Last season, Brooks was the director of player development for the Penguins.

He was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990.