Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) A man died Friday evening after his pickup left Sunnyside Road east of Bemidji. It then crossed a yard and went into the Mississippi River.
Authorities received a 911 call at 4:43 p.m. on Friday, March 20. The caller said the driver did not get out before the truck went under. That information came from the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office.
What Happened
The crash happened on Sunnyside Road in a residential area. Officials said the pickup went off the road, crossed a yard, and entered the river. Bystanders tried to help before emergency crews arrived. But the truck sank quickly.
The early report showed how fast the scene changed. The driver never made it out of the truck. Witnesses stayed nearby as crews rushed to the water. Emergency workers then began a recovery effort near the bank.
Recovery Effort
The response lasted nearly two hours. Crews worked from the shore and the water. Divers from the Lakes Area Dive Team were called to the scene. They later reached the truck underwater.
Divers pulled the man’s body from the vehicle around 6:30 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not released his name. No other details about the victim were released Friday night.
The Mississippi River runs through northern Minnesota and remains a major waterway in the region. Readers can find more river information from the National Park Service.
Investigation Continues
Investigators have not said why the truck left the road. Authorities have not announced any sign of what caused the crash. The case remains under investigation. More details were not immediately available.
Officials may release more information after the investigation moves forward. That could include the driver’s name and the cause. For now, the sheriff’s office says the review is still active. TRF News will follow the case as more facts are confirmed.
Readers can follow the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office for official updates. They can also learn more about the Lakes Area Dive Team.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
God’s blessings to his family. So sad 😞
🙏🏻