The Latest: Driver charged in crash that killed firefighters

ANOKA, Minn. – The Latest on a crash in Minnesota that killed two Michigan firefighters who were on their way to a Utah wildfire (all times local):

3:45 p.m.

Minnesota prosecutors have charged a Michigan firefighter with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide in a crash that killed two fellow firefighters and injured seven more as they drove to Utah to fight a wildfire.

The criminal complaint against 28-year-old Michael Allen Johnson, of Baraga, Michigan, says he told investigators he had not slept in more than 24 hours except for a 45-minute nap early Saturday before the crash about 3 p.m. Saturday.

Twenty-three-year-old James Shelifoe and 25-year-old Alan Swartz died in the crash on Interstate 35W in the Minneapolis suburb of Blaine. The State Patrol says the truck left the highway, struck the median cable barriers and rolled.

The crew was from the Baraga-based Beartown Firefighters, which is managed by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

____

10:50 a.m.

Authorities in Minnesota have arrested a fire truck driver from Michigan on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide in a crash that killed two firefighters and injured seven others who were on their way to fight a wildfire in Utah.

Anoka County Jail records show the 28-year-old man from Baraga, Michigan, was arrested after the crash Saturday on Interstate 35W in the Minneapolis suburb of Blaine. He has not been charged.

Twenty-three-year-old James Shelifoe and 25-year-old Alan Swartz died in the crash. The driver was among the seven people injured. The State Patrol says the truck left the highway, struck the median cable barriers and rolled.

The crew was from the Baraga-based Beartown Firefighters, which is managed by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.