SERIOUS ACCIDENTS- BELTRAMI COUNTY
Irvine Avenue and Highway 71
September 22, 2012
At approximately 11:41 PM, on Saturday September 22, 2012, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office was notified of an accident involving a 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis and a 2008 Jeep Wrangler on the Irvine Avenue Bridge over Highway 71 north of Bemidji in Northern Township, approximately 5 miles north of Bemidji.
Deputies arrived at the scene to find the Jeep Wrangler on its side on the Bridge with the driver still trapped inside. Deputies immediately assisted in removing the driver who was still trapped in the Jeep, by tearing off the Jeeps roof and releasing him from his seat belt. He was identified as Eric Nelson, age 48 of Redby, and he was suffering from several injuries sustained in the crash. He was transported to Sanford Hospital ER where he was treated for his injuries.
The driver and sole occupant of the other vehicle was identified as Michael Douglas Perry, age 44, of Bemidji. He was also transported to the ER in Bemidji but was later released after receiving treatment. Investigators learned that Nelson was on his way home from work and had pulled north onto Irvine from the Highway 71 Ramp on the south side of the bridge and began driving north when he was struck in the rear by Perry's vehicle causing his vehicle to skid onto its side and come to rest against the bridge rail. Perry was driving northbound on Irvine when he struck Nelson's Jeep from behind. Perry was found to exhibit indications of alcohol impairment and was taken into custody for Criminal Vehicular Operation once he was released from the ER.
First Responders, Bemidji Fire and Bemidji Ambulance responded to the scene. The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office was assisted by Bemidji Police Department and Minnesota State Patrol.
Becida Road and Fern Lake Road
September 23, 2012
At approximately 7:04 PM, on Sunday September 23rd, 2012, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office was notified of a n accident involving a 1999 Toyota Camry Sedan and a 2002 Honda Motorcycle at the intersection of Becida Road SW and Fern Lake Road SW, in Grant Valley Township, approximately 2 miles west and south of Bemidji.
Deputies arrived at the scene to find two individuals lying in the roadway suffering from extreme injuries who had been on the motorcycle. Both victims were being tended to by citizens who had come upon the crash scene. First aid was given to the victims until the arrival of Bemidji Fire and Bemidji Ambulance EMS. The victims were transported to Sanford Hospital ER in Bemidji and subsequently transferred via Sanford Air-Care to the Sanford Hospital Trauma Center in Fargo. The driver of the motorcycle is identified as Bradley Mordini age 42 and Michelle Sugar Age 38, both of Bemidji. Both victims are in critical condition in Fargo.
The driver of the car, Steven Greenwood, age 26, of Bemidji and his passenger Melissa Sue Beyer, age 27, of Hopkins were interviewed at the scene. Officers determined Greenwood was turning south onto Fern Lake Road from the Becida Rd and failed to yield right of way turning left in front of the motorcycle travelling the opposite direction on the Becida Road. Neither of the occupants of the car was injured.
Greenwood was found to be in possession of a small amount of Marijuana and admitted to officers that he had been using marijuana prior to the collision. Greenwood was issued a citation for Criminal Vehicular Operation pending the outcome of chemical tests ordered by law enforcement officers
First Responders, Bemidji Fire and Bemidji Ambulance EMS responded to the scene. The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office was assisted by Bemidji Police and Minnesota State Patrol.
Fern Lake Road
September 25, 2012
At approximately 7:03 AM, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office was notified of a single vehicle accident in the 1600 block of Fern Lake Road SW, about ¼ mile south of the Becida Road, located in Grant Valley Township south and west of Bemidji. Deputies arrived at the scene to find a 1997 Chevrolet Pick-up truck in the trees on the west side of the road. The vehicle had come to rest on its side against a tree with the cab crushed by the tree. The driver and sole occupant was pinned inside the vehicle and was rescued from the vehicle using the "jaws of life", by Bemidji Firemen with assistance from Beltrami Industrial wreckers.
The driver, a juvenile female from Bemidji, was driving northbound on Fern Lake Road SW enroute to her classes at Bemidji High School when the crash occurred. The driver was "life-flighted" from the scene by Sanford Air Care. At this time the Sheriff's Office has had no updates from Sanford Hospital in Fargo on the driver's condition.
The identity of the victim is being withheld until family members are notified. First Responders, Bemidji Fire and Bemidji Ambulance EMS responded to the scene and a Sanford Life Flight Helicopter was also dispatched to transport the victim. The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office was assisted by Bemidji Police and Minnesota State Patrol.
Sheriff Phil Hodapp
