Judge signs off on warrant to obtain blood sample for semi-truck driver in fatal crash
A St. Louis County judge signed off on a search warrant Wednesday, August 14 to obtain a blood sample from the driver of the semi-truck involved in the fatal accident on Highway 2.
The warrant application states a witness driving behind the semi-truck observed the truck weaving over lane lines for several miles prior to the crash.
The application also states the state trooper who applied for the warrant observed that the driver at the ER following the accident and said he appeared groggy and lethargic, had slower than normal reaction times, and did not recall anything that happened prior to the accident.
The accident, which also occurred on August 14, happened in Arrowhead Township south of Floodwood, near Nelson Road. The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash happened just before 3:00 p.m. near a construction site.
Five vehicles were involved. The first four: a GMC Acadia, Ford Escape, Mack Semi and a Honda Pilot were stopped in traffic due to construction. The State Patrol says a International Semi traveling at highway speeds struck the stopped vehicles.
According to a report from the State Patrol, 65-year-old Vincent Dow and 66-year-old Bonnie Dow, along with two 9-year-olds, Hope Oakgrove and Charlotte White all from Blackduck, Minnesota were killed. They were in a Honda Pilot.
The driver of the International semi-truck is identified as a 63-year-old from Grand Rapids and was treated at St. Luke’s Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Mack CX semi-truck is identified as a 45-year-old form Rochester, who suffered non-life threatening injuries. The passenger of the Ford Escape is from Grand Rapids and was treated for non-life threatening injuries at Cloquet Memorial Hospital.
St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Arrowhead Response & Fire Department, Floodwood Ambulance, Police, & Fire Department, St. Louis County Rescue, Cloquet Ambulance, and Life Link EMS provided assistance.
This crash is still under investigation by the Minnesota State Patrol.