The Minnesota State Patrol on Tuesday said there were no drunk-driving related deaths on state highways and freeways on New Year's Eve. That marks the fifth straight year without a alcohol-related fatality on the holiday.
However, the Patrol did arrest 25 motorists for driving while intoxicated between 6 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m. Tuesday, said Lt. Eric Roeske.
There was one death on state roads on Monday, but it did not appear that alcohol was a factor.
Samuel Deotis, 27, of Bigfork, Minn., died in a crash on Hwy. 6 about 12 miles north of Deer River. A passenger in his vehicle was critically injured.
Deotis was attempting to make a left turn near milepost 101 when he was struck broadside by a semitrailer truck just before 5 p.m. Monday. He died at the scene.
Nora Emery, 24, of Bigfork, was airlifted to St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth where on Tuesday she was listed in critical condition, the State Patrol said.
The driver of the semitrailer truck, Andrew Michalek, 58, of Blackduck, Minn., was not injured.
Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768 Twitter: @timstrib
