Sheriff’s Office offers tips for safe summer driving

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

A Pelican Rapids man was injured after losing control of his motorcycle late Wednesday afternoon, July 17, near Deer Creek. The accident took place near the intersection of Highway 29 and 580th Avenue.

Sheriff deputies said the man, 59-year-old John Franklin Donson, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at an area hospital. Assisting deputies at the scene of the accident, close to 5:40 p.m., were Deer Creek Rescue, Astera Ambulance and first responders from the town of Ottertail.

Assisting sheriff deputies with an investigation of the accident were members of the Minnesota State Highway Patrol.

Traffic injury near Deer Creek

Sheriff deputies, on July 18, reported one injury during a traffic accident at the intersection of Highways 52 and 106 north of Deer Creek. The accident took place at 6:24 a.m.

Deputies said this was a two-vehicle crash. Injured was Dean Allen Rice, 59, of Henning who was taken to an area hospital. He had non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

Assisting sheriff deputies were first responders from Deer Creek and members of the Minnesota State Highway Patrol.

Summer driving safety tips

The 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day have a dangerous reputation related to Minnesota roadways. People are traveling to their favorite getaways, summer activities and vacation spots.

“This makes it even more important to avoid a crash,” says Otter Tail County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons.

He says drivers need to make good and smart decisions behind the wheel and work together to keep the roadways safe. Fitzgibbons and sheriff deputies say drivers need to really pay attention to speed. A driver can’t prevent a crash if he or she is driving too fast.