GRAND RAPIDS — A 62-year-old Hopkins man has died following an all-terrain vehicle crash on Sunday, Aug. 17, near Grand Rapids.
The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office stated first responders located a man who was ejected from the vehicle on Prairie Lake Road around 8 p.m.
Despite lifesaving efforts, Rory John Strachota was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash involved a 2000 Polaris ATV, and the initial investigation indicated Strachota was the operator of the vehicle at the time of the crash. No other riders were reported injured.
The Grand Rapids Police Department, Trout Lake Fire Department and North Memorial Health Ambulance assisted the Itasca County Sheriff's Office at the scene.
In a news release, the sheriff's office extended its condolences to the family and friends of Strachota.
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And: Park Rapids man faces third charge for threatening lawmakers; former state Sen. Justin Eichorn's trial pushed to June; Warroad boys win state hockey title, and Kelliher/Northome, Mountain Iron-Buhl and Rock Ridge to compete in girls basketball tourney.
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The Kelliher/Northome Mustangs' only loss this season was in December 2025 to Mountain Iron-Buhl, 100-90, and the Rangers' only loss was in February to Rock Ridge, 79-67.
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In seeking to move the date, Eichorn waived his rights to a speedy trial, but said he does intend to proceed to a jury trial.
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Warroad and Moorhead won the 2026 boys hockey titles, marking the first back-to-back all Northland champions in the two-class era.