Sheriff news: Driver, 91, seriously injured in wreck

A 91-year-old driver was seriously injured south of Fergus Falls at 1:05 p.m. Friday, April 24.

Otter Tail County sheriff deputies said that Harland Haugen of Fergus Falls was northbound on County Highway 1 when he lost control of his pickup. The car hit an approach and ended up on the driver’s side.

“The Fergus Falls Fire Department used the jaws of life to extricate the driver,” County Sheriff Administrative Lt. Keith Van Dyke said Monday morning, April 27.

Haugen was driving a 2014 Ford pickup at the time of the accident. He was taken to Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls.

A property owner at Wildwood Drive near West McDonald Lake, northwest of Dent, reported on April 24 the theft of an aeration system. Stolen were 100 feet of PVC pipe and a large sump pump valued at close to $500.

The owner had last seen the aeration system in October.

An old barn and 1982 Ford Escort were destroyed Sunday, April 26, near Dent.

Firefighters were called at 2:26 p.m. to 385th Avenue, southeast of Dent and northwest of Marion Lake.

The fire originated in nearby grass and woods, and eventually ignited the old cattle barn.

Sheriff deputies, on April 22, reported the theft of several items from property at Clitherall Lake.

The owner, at Alberg Road, discovered at 2:40 p.m. that his garage at seasonal property was broken into. He immediately called the sheriff’s office.

Sheriff deputies said the owner had not been at the property since last October. He said the major items stolen were a nearly new Lund fishing boat, Mercury outboard motor and trailer.

Other items stolen were a Husqvarna mower, depth finder, new gas grill, fishing poles and tackle, air compressor and life jackets.

A neighbor told deputies that he had seen a SUV parked near the property two weeks ago.

Boat and trailer registration and VIN numbers will be given to the National Crime Information Center.

County deputies reported the theft of a Sea-Doo watercraft, trailer and other items from a storage building north of Pelican Rapids, on Highway 9 near Pelican Lake.

Also taken were battery-powered children’s toys. The incident was reported at 8:31 a.m. Monday, April 20.

A tractor was destroyed by fire around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 21, 350th Street between New York Mills and Bluffton.

The tractor was valued at $15,000. There was no damage to any other property. Assisting at the scene of the fire were members of the New York Mills Fire Department.

Tractor and combine fires can be caused by several heat sources. The most common is exhaust system surfaces that contact flammable material.

Users of farm vehicles are urged to make sure that exhaust systems are in good condition. Also, when checking oil and performing other daily maintenance, quickly scan any exposed electrical wiring for damage or signs of deterioration.

One person received minor injuries in a traffic accident at 7:52 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, on Interstate 94 in southwestern Otter Tail County.

Sheriff deputies said a four-door sedan was traveling eastward when the driver lost control and hit a guard rail, suffering cuts to the head.

The theft of three catalytic converters was reported Tuesday, April 21, on 180th Avenue, southwest of Pelican Rapids.

The theft likely took place between March 31 and April 17. The estimated value of the stolen catalytic converters was $1,050.

The owner told sheriff deputies that the converters were taken off of pickups. A catalytic converter is part of a vehicle’s exhaust system.

Theft of these converters are the result of their value and relative ease to steal. Also, there is a lack of identifying markings