SAINT MICHAEL, Minn. — A former St. Michael mayor was killed after he was struck by a Wright County Sheriff's Department patrol car on Thursday night.
According to documents obtained by KARE 11, the Wright County Sheriff's Office requested help from Minnesota State Patrol to investigate a fatal crash involving a 2018 Ford Explorer from the county sheriff's department just before 8 p.m. Thursday.
The documents say the squad car was responding to calls of a medical emergency when it fatally hit 84-year-old Harry Welter in a driveway on the 400 block of Main Street in St. Michael. He was transported to the Maple Grove Emergency Room.
In a release put out by the City of St. Michael, Welter is described as a longstanding public servant who spent time as both the municipality's mayor and a city council member in the '80s and '90s. The release also says he was a veteran of the Saint Michael Fire Department, and served for 23 years.
"He also volunteered to clean the Great River Regional Library at the Colonial Mall for free in the early 2000s," the city says. "He was a true public servant and will be greatly missed by his St. Michael community."
Wright County released a statement Monday stating the deputy in question has been placed on paid administrative leave, and has served the department since September 2020.
Documents state the vehicle's airbag did not deploy and alcohol was not a factor.
The incident report described road conditions as snowy and icy.
Crews from the St. Michaels Fire Department and Allina Ambulance also responded to the incident.
The Minnesota State Patrol is cited as the lead investigative body in this case, and will be releasing any further information.
The Wright County Sheriff's Office says it "offers their deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim."
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