Wright County Sheriff’s Deputy Hits, Kills Man Standing in a Driveway

Originally posted at 12:56 p.m. Sunday, December 26th, 2021

Updated 2:57 p.m. Monday, December 27th, 2021

(KNSI) — The Wright County Sheriff’s Office is releasing more information about a fatal crash involving a deputy on December 23rd.

According to a press release, the deputy was responding to an unknown medical call at a home in St. Michael about 7:00 p.m. When the deputy arrived on the scene, they did not see the victim, identified by the Minnesota State Patrol as 84-year-old Harold Welter, lying in the unlit driveway when he pulled in. The press release says the deputy made slow speed contact with Welter, injuring him.

Life saving measures were performed immediately, and Welter was taken to North Memorial Medical Center in Maple Grove, where he died. Welter was a long-time member of the St. Michael Fire Department, served on the city council, and served as mayor.

The deputy, who has been with the sheriff’s department since September of 2020, is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

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