UPDATE, 11:46am Wednesday, May 28th:

A fatal crash in Bluffton Township has left one man dead and another in custody at the Otter Tail County Jail.

According to a report from the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a crash near the intersection of 370th Street and 640th Avenue. When they arrived, they discovered a pickup truck on its side in a ditch and a deceased individual near the vehicle. The victim has been identified as Blake Unger, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Unger, 18, was a three-sport athlete at New York Mills, and was still competing with the Eagles Baseball team in the 5A section tournament. He was also an all-section football player, earned 100 career wins with the wrestling team, and was crowned homecoming king in the fall of 2024.

Authorities located the driver of the vehicle, identified as 18-year-old Izak Schermerhorn, and arrested him on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Schermerhorn is currently being held at the Otter Tail County Detention Facility and faces multiple charges, including criminal vehicular homicide, fourth-degree DWI, and underage drinking and driving.

The crash remains under investigation by the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office.

ORIGINAL STORY:

NEW YORK MILLS, Minn (KWAD) — The New York Mills Public School District is mourning the loss of a recent graduate who tragically passed away in a motor vehicle accident.

In a letter to families, Superintendent Adam Johnson shared the heartbreaking news with the school community, expressing deep sadness over the sudden loss. The name of the student, a member of the Class of 2025, has not been released at this time out of respect for the family’s privacy.

“This is a devastating time for our entire community,” Johnson wrote. “Please join me as we keep the student’s family and friends in our thoughts.”

To support students and staff affected by the tragedy, counselors are available on campus throughout the week. The district is encouraging anyone who needs help processing the news to reach out to the counseling office.

The New York Mills community is known for its close ties, and the loss has deeply impacted students, staff, and residents alike. Further information will be shared by the district as it becomes available.

See the school’s announcement here: Facebook