MAHNOMEN — Two people died in separate car crashes in Mahnomen County on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
The Mahnomen County Sheriff's Office stated in a news release that a 17-year-old Waubun boy was killed in a rollover crash around 8:30 a.m., north of Waubun.
Responding officers found a pickup lying on its side in the roadway. The driver Cash Tibbetts was also found lying in the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The preliminary investigation determined Tibbetts was traveling at a high rate of speed while navigating a turn on a gravel road and lost control. He was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle.
The second fatal crash was near the Mahnomen-Norman County line on Highway 200 around 7 p.m.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a 20-year-old Mahnomen man was reportedly intoxicated when he struck a tractor towing a piece of equipment. Passenger 53-year-old Robert Keezer was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver was arrested for driving while intoxicated and criminal vehicular homicide. The tractor driver was reportedly uninjured.
-
Megan Buffington/KAXEKerri Hart was in the vehicle with Jack Drumbeater at the time of the crash. Hart faces a criminal vehicular homicide charge; Drumbeater was charged with murder. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe Itasca County Sheriff's Office said the death appears to be a result of natural causes. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe early season has been marked with low water levels, cool spells and storm damage. -
Plus: Wild rice season shows promise despite shaky start -
Contributed/Francesco Ungaro via PexelsKory Wagner and Heather Pero are accused of intentionally setting the fire that destroyed The Pub, a bar and grill in Remer, in late April 2025. -
Emma Krab/KAXEA ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of Niishooshimeyag Wigwam Bena Shelter on Aug 26, 2026. -
Plus: A paved trail wrapping Gull Lake is one small section away from completion; and Leech Lake celebrates a new family-oriented homeless shelter in Bena.
-
Contributed/Carlton CountyCarlton County's Board of Commissioners considered a data center moratorium for months before approving it unanimously on Aug. 24, 2026. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEOfficials hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking for a Bemidji YMCA on Aug. 18, 2026, with construction expected to begin in spring 2027. -
Contributed/Canva Pro graphicThe Minnesota State Patrol identified the man who died in the Aug. 25, 2026, crash as Keith Donovan, 37, of Brainerd.
