A Grand Marais man was seriously injured in Hovland on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, when he was struck by a tow truck driven by Gene Raymond Erickson, 75, of Grand Marais. Cook County Law Enforcement received a call at 12:41 p.m. reporting that Erickson had backed over John Edward McElevey, 81, Grand Marais.
Erickson and McElevey are friends and McElevey was just riding along while Erickson traveled to 4201 East Highway 61 in Hovland to tow a vehicle. Erickson backed up his 1988 Ford flatbed tow truck using his mirrors and was unaware that McElevey had gotten out of the truck. He didn’t see McElevey and backed over him.
The reporting caller said McElevey was conscious and breathing, but still underneath the vehicle.
Hovland and Colvill First Responders, Cook County Ambulance, Cook County Sheriff deputies and the Hovland traffic control (STOP) team responded. McElevey was transported to Cook County North Shore Hospital. He was later transported to a Duluth hospital by helicopter.
At press time no charges had been filed, but the incident is being reviewed by the county attorney.
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