An accident in Duluth on Wednesday, November 23, resulted in extensive damage to a sheriff ’s department squad car, but fortunately no serious injuries. Cook County Sheriff Mark Falk was driving the black 2005 Chevy Impala at the time of the crash.
Falk explained that the accident occurred as he and Chief Deputy Leif Lunde were leaving St. Mary’s Hospital after interviewing a person involved in an investigation. Falk said he stopped at the intersection of 14th Avenue East and East Third Street, a one-way street. He said he looked left and right as he approached the stop sign. After stopping and watching a pedestrian cross, he pulled onto the street and was hit by an oncoming 1-ton pickup. “I just didn’t see the vehicle,” said Falk.
He added that there is a lot of talk about distracted driving— texting, talking on the phone, or talking to passengers. Falk said obviously, anyone can become distracted.
Falk said the squad car was “t-boned” on the side.
Falk and Lunde were both wearing seatbelts and the vehicle’s airbags did not deploy. They were not injured. The pickup truck driver initially said he was fine but was later treated for minor injuries.
The Duluth Police Department responded. No citations were issued. Falk and Lunde got a ride back to Cook County with a state trooper.
At press time, it was not known how much damage was done to the sheriff ’s car, but Falk said MCIT, which provides the county’s vehicle insurance, said it was likely totaled since it is a 2005 model and has over 90,000 miles on it.
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