On May 25, 2021 at 6:06 PM, the Stearns County Communications Center received a call of an ATV rollover at the intersection of County Road 168 and Thunder Road located in Melrose Township. The caller stated all five occupants of the ATV were alert and that there were injuries.
When deputies arrived on scene, they located a 2020 Polaris Ranger side-by-side near the intersection. The driver of the ATV was identified as Roxane Johnson, 34, of Melrose. Johnson said they were traveling eastbound on County Road 168 when she began to negotiate a left turn near Thunder Road and the ATV began leaning to the right. The ATV then tipped onto its right side. All occupants were wearing their seatbelts.
The front seat passenger was identified as Trina Hinnenkamp, 50, of Melrose. She sustained road rash to her right arm and right knee. A juvenile passenger was located on the right rear side of the ATV. When the ATV tipped it landed on the juvenile passenger’s ankle causing a possible ankle injury. Passersby were able to lift the ATV off the juvenile’s ankle.
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office responded, as well as, the Melrose Police Department, Melrose Fire Department, and the Melrose Ambulance Service. The crash is believed to be speed related.