COOK — An Orr man suffered life-threatening injuries in a two-vehicle crash with a St. Louis County deputy, who was also injured, Wednesday, July 1, near Cook.
According to details from the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office and Minnesota State Patrol, the deputy, 50-year-old Brett Lucas of Britt, was patrolling in a marked squad SUV, driving westbound on Highway 1, about 2 miles northwest of Cook. Around 8 p.m., he was struck by a pickup truck in an intersection.
The pickup, driven by Ayden Houde, 20, of Orr, was traveling south on Samuelson Road and failed to stop at a stop sign, according to the state patrol.
Houde was transported to the Essentia Health hospital in Duluth for treatment of life-threatening injuries.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the state patrol. Both were wearing seatbelts at the time.
Deputy Lucas was treated at Cook Hospital.
“We are grateful his injuries do not appear to be life-threatening and wish him a quick and complete recovery,” stated St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay in a news release.
The Cook Ambulance, Cook Fire Department, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Breitung Police and the Bureau of Indian Affairs assisted at the scene.
-
Plus: Zebra mussels found in Waubon area lake; New scholarships announced for clean energy jobs; and four Northland soccer teams will compete at state. -
Contributed/Bemidji State UniversityAn ongoing Bemidji State University research project seeks to learn whether new fishing technology could be putting Leech Lake’s muskies at risk. -
Contributed/St. Louis County Sheriff's Office Facebook pageThe St. Louis County Sheriff's Office says the man was recreating with family before he became separated from the group. -
Contributed/Madison McVan | Minnesota ReformerRetired federal and state judges are requesting a dismissal of a misconduct complaint against nearly every federal judge in Minnesota by the U.S. Department of Justice. -
Contributed/Max Nesterak / Minnesota ReformerThe lieutenant governor has helped reshape Minnesota’s relationship with tribal nations. Now she hopes to bring that approach to Washington. -
Contributed/The Unruly ShutterThe Esko girls earned the top seed, and the Cloquet girls qualified after being upset in the section tournament in 2025. -
Baylor Short is part of a research project studying how forward-facing sonar could be putting Leech Lake’s muskies at risk.
-
Plus: Greenway community fund grows; and October is "Leave the Leaves" month.
-
Emma Krab/KAXEThe Blandin Foundation announced a $250,000 grant for the Greenway Community Fund on Oct. 21, 2026. The Greenway area covers 10 small cities and townships on the western side of Minnesota's Iron Range. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock Image via Minnesota News ConnectionThe National Wildlife Federation recognizes October as "Leave the Leaves Month," when homeowners are encouraged to move some of the leaves they have cleared into garden beds.
