Sheriff news: Driver injured, later charged with DWI

Sheriff deputies reported on May 21 that the driver of a pickup was injured in an accident and later charged with DWI.

The accident took place at 12:12 p.m. on Highway 24, east of Rothsay.

Deputies said the driver was westbound, from Erhard, when he drifted into the north ditch. He struck a field approach and sustained injuries, but not life-threatening.

The driver was taken to the hospital in Fergus Falls and later was charged with third degree DWI. Deputies said the vehicle sustained heavy damage and was towed from the scene of the accident.

Authorities at Maplewood State Park, east of Pelican Rapids, reported the theft of a canoe and other items the week of May 17.

The aluminum canoe was valued at $800. Three reflective cones that were taken were valued at a combined $60 and a steel post and sign that was taken was estimated at $50.

Stolen from a camper at Three Lakes Road, southeast of Ottertail city, were two 30-pound propane tanks and assorted bottles of alcohol.

The theft was reported to the sheriff’s office on May 21.

Sheriff deputies reported on May 20 the theft of an aluminum tube for a weed roller. The approximate value was $150.

The theft took place northeast of Perham, on the north side of Big Pine Lake near Toad River Road.

Deputies said all other parts and dock equipment were not taken. There were no immediate suspects.

Sheriff deputies reported that one person was injured in a traffic accident May 20 near West Lost Lake, north of Underwood.

The location of the accident, at 8:07 p.m., was near the intersection of Highway 35 and Water Street Road.

The driver was a 20-year-old old female from Watson, Minn., northwest of Montevideo.

Sheriff deputies said the driver, heading north, veered into the ditch and clipped a power pole, knocking it down. Injuries to the driver were not life threatening. She was taken to an area hospital.

Sheriff deputies reported that two men were injured Tuesday, May 19, after falling approximately 20 feet during a roofing accident.

The accident took place at 4:27 p.m. northwest of Vergas, at Milky Way Road near the Otter Tail County-Becker County line.

Injured were a 65-year-old man from rural Vergas and a 61-year-old man from Detroit Lakes.

“Both were life-flighted by helicopter to a Fargo hospital,” said County Sheriff Administrative Lt. Keith Van Dyke.

Deputies said the men were removing roofing from a structure, when a portion of the structure gave way. This resulted in the fall, and it is possible the men struck steel posts during the fall.

Assisting Otter Tail County sheriff deputies at the scene of the accident, in addition to Life Flight, were Vergas rescuers and Ringdahl Ambulance.

A resident who lives near Highway 27, northeast of Fergus Falls and southeast of Erhard, reported on Tuesday, May 19, the possibility of credit card scamming.

The caller said she received an email of an order confirmation that she never ordered. The computer, purchased via Amazon and valued at $1,199, was being sent to someone in Texas.

The resident called the sheriff’s office and deputies advised her to contact her credit card company.

Sheriff deputies, on Monday, May 18, received a report of a stolen catalytic converter from a business near Highway 9, north of Pelican Rapids. This was part of an illegal pattern in recent days in Otter Tail County.

A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device that reduces toxic gases and pollutants.

Thieves oftentimes take the stolen converters to metal recyclers. Buyers pay an average of $50 per catalytic converter for copper and other metals inside the converter. Certain converters are worth $100 and even $200.