Naytahwaush Crash Ends in Arrest of Moorhead Man
NAYTAHWAUSH, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — A Moorhead man was arrested Saturday after a vehicle struck a building near Naytahwaush, authorities said.
The crash was reported shortly after 8 p.m. on the 27000 block of County Road 4.
Deputies and the Naytahwaush ambulance responded after receiving a report of the crash.
Investigators said the vehicle left the roadway before jumping an approach and landing against a building.
A resident was inside the building when the vehicle struck it.
The resident was not injured.
Driver Found West of Crash Site
Authorities identified the accused driver as Charles Ortley, 36, of Moorhead.
Ortley was found several hundred yards west of the crash scene, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies took him into custody after a short foot pursuit.
The release did not describe how long deputies searched before finding him.
Charles Ortley booking photo
Alcohol Bottles and Pills Reported
Deputies reported finding open alcohol bottles and pills inside the vehicle.
Authorities said Ortley appeared highly intoxicated after he was located.
He declined to take sobriety tests, according to the sheriff’s office release.
Witnesses told investigators that Ortley had arrived at a party before the crash.
Those witnesses said he appeared intoxicated when he arrived, the release stated.
The sheriff’s office did not identify the pills in its public statement.
The release also did not provide an estimated amount of damage to the building.
Ortley Transported to Jail
Ortley was taken for medical clearance before being transported to jail.
No formal charges or court date were listed in the release.
The case could undergo further review before any charges are filed.
An arrest does not prove that a person committed a crime.
Ortley is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Future case information may appear through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
Court calendars can change and may not show every matter immediately.
Impaired-driving resources are available from Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.
Those resources include information about prevention, enforcement, and safe transportation choices.
Authorities did not release more details about the crash in the statement provided.
The account is based on the sheriff’s office release and witness statements.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News.