UPDATE: Suspect Identified and charged in fatal car crash

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St. Louis County Sheriff's Office News Release

Incident Date:

Friday August 12th, 2022

Incident Time:  

11:31 P.M.

Incident location: 

5500 Blk Hwy 21 Embarrass Township 

 

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INDIVIDUAL(S) INVOLVED: (Refer to News Media Policy-Rules III A. I Thru 4: Procedures B.1, A thru J & 1; 2b; 3b; g & h; 4a, b, & c)

Name:  Joni Dahl - deceased

Name: Michael Kenneth Miller 

Name:

Age: 39

Age: 40

Age:

Address: Rural Eveleth, MN

Address: Virginia, MN 

Address:

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Incident Summary: 

On Friday August 12th, 2022 at approximately 11:32 P.M. the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, Babbitt Police Department, the MN State Patrol, and area first responders were dispatched to a two vehicle crash with injuries in the 5500 Blk of Hwy 21 in Embarrass Township, which is West of the intersection of Hwy 21 and Hwy 135. 

A passenger car traveling eastbound on Hwy 21, driven by a 39 yr old rural Eveleth, MN female was struck head on by a pickup truck driven by a 40 yr old male from Virginia, MN, who was driving westbound. The driver and lone occupant of the passenger car was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. 

It appears that the driver of the pickup truck had crossed over the centerline of Hwy 21 into the oncoming traffic lane in a curve striking the passenger car. The driver of the truck received non life threatening injuries and was subsequently transported to an area Duluth hospital for treatment of those injuries. 

Alcohol was a major factor in the crash. The driver of the pickup truck is facing charges of Criminal Vehicular Homicide, in addition to crimes relating to Driving Under the Influence upon his release from the hospital. 

The name of the victim is being withheld, pending notification of family. 

The crash remains under investigation by the Sheriff's Office, with the assistance of the MN State Patrol. 

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Authority: Sgt. Wayne Toewe 

Date:   08-13-2022                                               Time: 06:10 A.M.

Additional Information or Update:

***UPDATE***UPDATE***UPDATE**

Michael Kenneth Miller, age 40, of rural Virginia, MN has been charged by the St. Louis County Attorney's Office in Virginia with one felony count of Criminal Vehicular Homicide (Operate Vehicle with Negligence-Under Influence of Alcohol) in connection with this accident.  He is currently in custody at the St. Louis Co. jail with his first court appearance scheduled for this morning.

 

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Authority: LT. JASON AKERSON    Date:  08-16-2022    Time: 11:00 AM