Red Lake Band members killed in traffic crash

The Red Lake Department of Public Safety is reporting that one their Safety Officers and another Red Lake Band member were killed in a traffic accident. Public Safety Officer Jesse Branch and Red Lake Band member Alan Lussier Jr. both passed away due to injuries sustained in the two vehicle crash on Highway 1 east of the Red Lake community.

Branch and Lussier were the only occupants in their respective vehicles.

“The Red Lake Department of Public Safety and Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians are mourning the loss of two community members today,” said a release from the Red Department of Public Safety Law Enforcement Services.

The accident is currently under investigation by the Minnesota State Highway Patrol and FBI.