Victim identified in fatal Cass County vehicle-pedestrian accident

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victim in a fatal December 14 vehicle-pedestrian accident as Jill Burnham, age 34, of Brainerd, Minnesota.

Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk reports that on Saturday, December 14, at 3:56 PM the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received 911 calls reporting a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on the Gull Lake Dam Road, near the intersection with Poplar Drive in East Gull Lake, rural Brainerd Minnesota.  

“Deputies and responders arrived on scene and learned that a 2023 Ford Bronco was westbound on the Gull Lake Dam Road when it slowed due to a pickup parked in the westbound lane,” explained Welk. The driver of the pickup was talking to a pedestrian that was walking on the roadway. The driver of the Bronco lost control on the icy roadway when attempting to slow down and struck the pedestrian.”

Burnham was treated at the scene before being transferred to the hospital. She died from injuries sustained from the accident the next day on December 15.

A blood sample was taken from the driver of the Bronco, a 54-year-old male, on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Formal charges are pending the results of the blood test.

Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Nisswa Police Department, Lakes Area Rescue, and North Memorial Ambulance assisted at the scene.