Mikayla Butcher dies in fatal Cass County crash
Fatal Cass County crash death of Mikayla Butcher – Obituary
Authorities have identified Mikayla Butcher, a 22-year-old woman from Bemidji, as the victim who lost her life in a rollover accident on Saturday, March 15, in Cass County.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office provided an update on Tuesday, March 18, naming those involved in the crash. The driver, a 23-year-old man from Walker, was taken into custody at the Cass County Detention Center for a probation violation, with additional charges related to the accident still pending. His identity has not been disclosed since he has not been formally charged.
Three other passengers were in the vehicle at the time of the crash: Justin Nordmarken, 27, of Walker; Jonathan Peterson, 29, of Longville; and Arrecio Brown, 21, of Walker.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene at 7:01 p.m. in Turtle Lake Township, north of Hackensack. Reports indicate that a 2007 Dodge Nitro veered off County Highway 13 (Onigum Road) and rolled into a ditch near Stony Point Camp Road.
Five people were inside the vehicle when it crashed. Two men were transported to Sanford Bemidji Medical Center for treatment, another was taken to CHI-St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids, and one person received medical attention at the scene before being released.
Butcher was pronounced dead at the crash site and later taken to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.
Investigators believe both alcohol and excessive speed contributed to the accident. A search warrant was executed to obtain a blood sample from the driver, which was collected at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.
