---

Fatal crash outside of North Branch
A 16-year-old Lindstrom driver was involved in a fatal crash, reported Friday, January 5 on Hwy. 95, west of North Branch.  

State Patrol released preliminary information that a 1994 Mazda pickup driven by Caleb Stevens,  collided with a Saturn SL.  His injuries were not life threatening.  The patrol said the driver of the Saturn had turned in front of the Mazda as it travelled westbound on #95.  

The victim was identified as 61-year-old Steven Christian, of Braham.   He was coming from southbound on Vickers Street.

The incident was reported at about quarter to 1 p.m.  Both drivers were wearing seatbelts.

January 4 Wyoming Police encountered an abandoned vehicle at the freeway off ramp  about 8 p.m.  Registration showed up as stolen. Tracks led away and it appeared suspect got a ride.

January 1
State Patrol was aided by Wyoming Police and sheriff deputies when a car crashed through the cable median barrier New Year’s Day,  on I-35 near Wyoming;  and returned to its lane moving in the wrong direction, and hit another vehicle about 5:40 p.m.  

State Patrol’s early details are that ambulance transport was provided for Jose Rolando Mancia, 53, of St. Paul whose vehicle was northbound on the freeway and for unknown reasons,  crossed over damaging the barrier and continuing to travel, returned to the original lane only facing south in the northbound traffic.  A second car northbound, was hit head-on.  

A K9 unit successfully tracked the first driver, Mancia, who fled to a swampy area a distance from the collision site.  Mancia had head injuries and was taken by ground transport.

The other driver, Philip Arlen Carlson, 80, of Hermantown, was also brought by ground transport to Regions Hospital.

BOOKED
January 1
Tiffany Marie Wagner, 27, Coon Rapids. Booked by Wyoming Police. Released.
Paul Ryan Schnack, 43, North Branch. Booked by North Branch Police. Released.
James David Rittmiller, 56, Pine City. Booked by county. Released.
David Alan Otts, 55, Oak Grove. Booked by county. Held.

January 2
Early Romero Blevins, 42, Rush City Prison. Booked by county. Released back to Dept. of Corrections.
Angela Ann Swenson, 37, Chisago City. Booked by Lakes Area Police. Released.

January 3
Nathan Thomas Miesner, 27, WI. Booked by county. Released.
Jamisha Shanay Mallard, 28, St. Paul. Booked by county. Released.
Ryan Wesley Gay, 30, Wyoming. Booked by county. Released.
Monte Lee Peterson, 54, St. Paul. Booked on warrant. Released.
Jason John Brewer Ericson, 37, St. Paul. Booked, held under sentence. Work release okay.
Tony James VondeLinde, 55, Rush City. Booked and held under sentence (assault.)
Robert Allen Branville, 29, Nashwauk. Booked on warrant by county, work release okay.
Kenneth William Coleman, 35, St. Paul. Booked by county on warrant. Work release okay.

January 4
Terence Paul Bailey, 29, Chisago City. Booked by North Branch Police. Released.
Karl Rodli Astin, 42, Chanhassen. Booked on warrant. Released.
Ryan Scott Weber, 35, Harris. Booked by county. Released.
Thomas John Carr, 52, North Branch. Order to book and release.
Brenda Jean Meizo, 50, North Branch. Booked by county, held probation violation.
Ronald James Hart, 70, Webster WI. Booked by   county, held under sentence (DUI).

January 5
Vernon Robert Sullivan, 28, Sandstone. Booked by county, work release okay.
Maxx Joseph Zacho, 28, Chisago City. Booked by order to arrest and detain. Held.

January 6
Zachary John Backus, 30, Lindstrom. Booked by Lakes Area on warrant. Released.
Steven Craig West, 47, Chisago City. Booked by Wyoming Police. Release for work okay.
 
January 7
Jodi Kay Boyne, 49, St. Paul. Booked by state patrol. Day release okay.
Jonathan Robert Renspe, 26, Lindstrom. Booked by Lakes Area. Released.
Jesse Wayne Boyce, 32, Circle Pines. Booked by unknown agency. Released.
Jeffrey John Froehle, 63, Plymouth. Booked by state patrol. Released.
Francisco Alejandro Chale, 23, MPLS. Booked by North Branch. Day release okay.
Johnny Ari Sikaffy, 22, St. Paul Park. Booked by   county. Held.

---