Family seeks answers as brother recovers from being hit by police squad

BEMIDJI — Nearly a week has passed since a Bemidji Police officer struck a 36-year-old pedestrian with a squad car.

The man's family said Michael Brown of Duluth is still recovering from life-threatening injuries from the crash.

Law enforcement from Bemidji Police and the Minnesota State Patrol sent out news releases after the collision in the early hours of July 15, describing Brown as dressed in all black and standing in the middle of the road, all while he was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol.

Matthew Brown of Cass Lake said in a phone interview Tuesday, July 21, that that's not what defines his brother, who has already had two surgeries while at the Sanford Health Hospital in Fargo.

"My brother is a caring person. ... He'd give anything off his back to make people so happy," he said. "'Gentle giant,' that's what they call him."

Matthew Brown said his family has established a GoFundMe to fund the family's extensive travel to the Fargo area to support Michael in his recovery.

Matthew Brown said he wants to know how fast Officer Robert Brogren, 54, of Bemidji, was traveling when the crash happened. Michael Brown was struck on Irvine Avenue, near the J.W. Smith Elementary School neighborhood around 18th Street.

"I just want to seek [a] proper investigation of the case," he said.

The Minnesota State Patrol is overseeing the investigation. In an email Tuesday, Sgt. Jesse Grabow stated "this crash and incident remains under investigation."