One Found Dead Next to Burning Vehicle in St. Louis County
2/19/22 - The story has been updated with the latest press release information.
A man was found dead next to a burning pickup truck late Friday night in Saginaw, St. Louis County authorities have confirmed.
According to a media release, emergency responders were called to a residence on the 8000 block of Highway 2 in Saginaw around 11:00 p.m. on Friday. When crews arrived, they located the pickup truck and the man’s body lying next to it.
According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, it appears the male was driving his vehicle on his property when he collided with an unoccupied vehicle, a trailer, and a large sand berm before becoming stuck. At some point, the vehicle caught fire. A woman later went to check for the man and discovered the crash scene, then called 911.
Once on scene, responders determined that the man was deceased and the vehicle had burned itself out.
The incident is under investigation by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota State Fire Marshal, and the medical examiner’s office.
The man’s name has not yet been released. A preliminary autopsy report stated the male suffered extensive thermal injuries, smoke inhalation, and blunt force trauma. Toxicology reports are still pending.
Foul play is not suspected.
Members of the Cloquet Area Fire District and the St. Louis County Rescue Squad also responded to the scene.