The Wadena County Sheriff reports that one of his Deputies was involved in a vehicle pursuit during the evening hours of February 25, 2026.

A Deputy attempted to stop a motor vehicle for numerous traffic violations. The driver refused to stop and the Deputy initiated a pursuit.

The pursuit exited Wadena County and entered into Cass County, reaching speeds of over 100 MPH. The fleeing vehicle and Sheriff’s Office squad car entered onto a road that was ice covered. Both vehicles lost control and crashed. The crash occurred near Leader in Cass County. The Deputy was not injured in the crash. The fleeing motorist was air lifted from the scene by North Memorial Air Care to a hospital in the cities, with non-life threating injuries. The driver of the fleeing motor vehicle was the lone occupant in the vehicle. Both vehicles were damaged.

Agencies assisting at the scene were; MN State Patrol, Staples PD, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Morrison County Sheriff’s Office, Lakewood Ambulance, and Scott’s South Town Towing.

No names have been released as this incident is still under investigation.