Vehicle crashes into utility pole, causing outage

On Saturday, May 6, 2017 at approximately 6:47 PM the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center received several phone calls reporting an explosion and power outage in the area of Adams Avenue NW (CSAH 11) and Fox Drive NW in Bemidji Township. Further calls to the 911 Dispatch Center reported that a vehicle had struck, and knocked down a utility pole near that intersection.

Upon arrival, Deputies found that a 2003 Ford Windstar had struck the utility pole, causing the pole to be broken into four pieces and live electrical lines on the ground. The vehicle was found to be unoccupied but had air bag deployment. Deputies learned that the van was registered to a Bonita Gonier of Bemidji, MN and had possibly been taken from her residence, without her permission, by a juvenile male family member.

Ottertail Power responded to the scene while Deputies began their investigation which revealed that the vehicle, traveling southbound on Adams Avenue had been traveling at a high rate of speed when the vehicle appeared to lose control and enter the ditch, striking the utility pole approximately 10 feet off of the ground.

The utility pole had carried the main electrical power source for the northwest area of the City of Bemidji and surrounding township areas, causing the described area to be without power until approximately 11:30 PM, before being fully restored by Ottertail Power.

The investigation into the crash revealed the identity of the juvenile male driver. As Deputies and Officers from other assisting agencies searched for the male juvenile, reports began to come in to the Dispatch Center regarding a male subject walking in the back yards of residences located in the area of Arrowood Circle NW. Upon being located by Officers, the juvenile male fled and a foot pursuit ensued with the juvenile being apprehended by a Bemidji Police Officer.

The juvenile male was treated and released for injuries he sustained in the vehicle crash by Bemidji Ambulance personnel, but was not transported. After being interviewed, the juvenile male was released to the custody of his parent, pending formal review for criminal charges.

The 2003 Ford Windstar received a damage assessment of totaled from the crash.

The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Bemidji Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, Bemidji Fire Department, Bemidji Ambulance Service and Ottertail Power Company.

Respectfully submitted by:

Ernie Beitel, Chief Deputy Sheriff

Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office