Overview
- A Bemidji police squad car struck Michael Brown, 36, near the intersection of Irvine Avenue and 18th Street Northwest early Wednesday, and he was taken to Sanford Hospital with life‑threatening injuries.
- The Minnesota State Patrol is leading the probe and says the squad was traveling north in normal, non‑emergency mode when it hit a pedestrian.
- Authorities reported the squad driver was not hurt and that alcohol is suspected to be a factor, but investigators have not yet determined fault or announced any charges.
- Local outlets identified the pedestrian as a 36‑year‑old Duluth man and said investigators are still gathering information about why he was in or near the middle of the roadway.
- Police‑vehicle collisions are routinely reviewed by the State Patrol to establish sequence and contributing factors, and the outcome of this inquiry could affect criminal or departmental actions.