Fatal Memorial Day Crash Update

Waskish Township, Beltrami County, MN –June 15, 2021-- On Memorial Day, May 31, 2021, the Beltrami County 911 Emergency Communications Center was notified of a fatal motor vehicle crash on Minnesota Trunk Highway 72 near the Sunny Beach Rd, just south of the community of Waskish.

On June 1, 2021, The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy and identified the victim as 58 year old Shaun Allen O’Malley of Kelliher, MN.

The investigation of the crash revealed that it was an apparent hit and run motor vehicle type crash, with only one vehicle reaming on the scene. Trunk Highway 72 was closed for several hours following the discovery of the crash to allow investigators to document and collect evidence.

On June 1st, the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office requested the public’s assistance in identifying a possible suspect by releasing photos on its Facebook page as well as being sourced to media outlets throughout the state. Numerous tips and leads were received by the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota State Patrol and through a multi-jurisdictional collaboration and the assistance of members of the public, the driver of the second vehicle was identified and the vehicle used in the crash was recovered.

The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the public who played an instrumental role in identifying this individual as well as the Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Lake of the Woods County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Rapids Police Department, Itasca County Sheriff’s Office, Pine County Sheriff’s Office, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Duluth Police Department, Lake Superior Violent Crimes Task Force and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Enforcement Division for their assistance.

This case remains under investigation, and no additional information is available at this time. The individual is not being identified pending formal charges.

-Sheriff Ernie Beitel

Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office

613 Minnesota Ave. NW.

Bemidji, MN 56601

ernie.beitel@co.beltrami.mn.us