26-Jul-2024

Fatal Crash

A Minnesota man was killed and a woman and infant were critically injured when their vehicle collided with a semi truck on a Traverse County highway late Tuesday morning, according to authorities. The Minnesota State Patrol said the crash happened around 10:45 a.m. Highway 75 near the intersection of 530th Street in Tara Township. According to the crash report, the semi truck and a Ford Escape were both traveling southbound on Highway 75 when they collided near the intersection,  Ford Escape passenger 29 year old Wyatt Tritz, of Dumont, died of his injuries.  The patrol has identified the driver of the Ford Escape as 22-year-old Autumn Tritz, of Dumont. Both Autumn Tritz and an infant passenger suffered life-threatening injuries.  They were both taken to local hospitals before being airlifted to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, where their current condition is unknown.  The driver of the semi truck, a 38-year-old Pierz man, was injured. While authorities have not indicated what might've caused the crash, the patrol confirmed all involved were wearing a seatbelt and alcohol was not a factor.

26-Jul-2024

Man Burned In Brush Fire

A man was severely burned in a brush fire. The Meeker County Sheriff's Office says on Thursday at about 1:00 p.m. they got a call about a man who had suffered significant burns. Meeker County Deputies, Dassel Fire & Rescue, Mayo Ambulance, and Lifelink III responded to the scene at a home in the 27500 block of 742nd Avenue in Dassel Township. Deputies learned 53-year-old Jeremy Hirsch of Winsted was helping family with yard clean up. Hirsch was attempting to burn a brush pile using an accelerant.  The fire started and came back on the victim causing severe burns over a significant portion of his body. Hirsch was flown by LifeLink III from the scene to Hennepin County Medical Center where he is being treated for his burns.  The full extent of his injuries was not determined at the scene.

 

 

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26-Jul-2024

Search For Missing Man Continues

It’s been over one month now since 79 year-old Robert Shaw went missing from the rural Henning area near County Highway 134/State Highway 29. The most recent update from the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office is that ground searches are being completed based on points of interest obtained from Lidar flights. Authorities say that Robert Shaw is believed to have left his home Saturday, June 22, around 5:30 a.m. Last month extensive search efforts were conducted by ground, water and air without success. Officials are utilizing many different resources to continue the search and are investigating tips and information as it comes in. The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office continues to ask the public to check their property and review and monitor security systems and game cameras. You can report possible sightings of Robert Shaw to the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office at 218-998-8555.

25-Jul-2024

Fuel Thefts

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a person suspected of stealing fuel from retailers in Hackensack and Backus and suspects additional fuel thefts similar to these have happened in the region and possibly northern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. Sheriff Bryan Welk says on July 22nd, an individual filled barrels or drums in the bed of a pickup and left without paying, getting away with about $560 worth of fuel at the retailers in Hackensack and Backus. This information also matched the description of a fuel theft reported on June 4th from a Remer retailer, where the pickup was pulling a utility trailer with barrels on it. A pickup matching the description of the suspect vehicle was stopped on Highway 371 in Shingobee Township, and 28-year-old Sapphire Torres of Duluth was arrested and transported to the Cass County Detention Center with formal charges pending. The Sheriff’s Office encourages retailers with information to report any theft to their local law enforcement jurisdiction and have them contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and speak with Investigator Robison for addition information and follow-up.

25-Jul-2024

Man Pleaded Guilty To Fatal Hit And Run

A southwestern Minnesota man has pleaded guilty in connection with a fatal hit-and-run, the victim of which was a 76-year-old man. 37 year old Lucas Strassburg, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal vehicular homicide Wednesday, according to court records. A filing indicates Strassburg agreed to a plea deal, though the deal has yet to be accepted by the court. According to a criminal complaint, 76-year-old William Krotzer was found dead in a ditch near the intersection of 141st Street and 60th Avenue, north of Beaver Creek, on Dec. 13 of last year. His car was found about a mile away. Authorities used witness testimony and surveillance video to identify a suspect vehicle and traced it to the owner, who said Strassburg — an employee of his — had last driven the truck. The owner confronted Strassburg via text, and Strassburg eventually admitted to hitting Krotzer, according to the complaint. Strassburg was arrested and charged about two weeks after the hit-and-run.