Wahpeton hit-and-run victim dies from injuries; charges expected to be upgraded for suspect

FARGO (KFGO) – The North Dakota Highway Patrol says the victim of a hit-and-run crash in Wahpeton last week died from her injuries on Saturday. 

The victim was identified as 20-year-old Bailey Bernstein from Wahpeton.

On Oct. 12 at 7:40 p.m., state patrol says that witnesses told them a pickup with a loud exhaust was traveling eastbound on the 400 block of 11th Avenue, north of the Wahpeton Airport, when it struck Bernstein, who was walking with a friend along the shoulder of the roadway. The pickup truck then fled the scene.

The other pedestrian was able to give a general description of the pickup and direction of travel. 

Bernstein was taken to the Breckenridge hospital and then transported by a Sanford air medical unit to Fargo where she was later pronounced.

Police then canvassed the area and located several videos of the suspected vehicle. Information was put out to the public and a tip led police to the vehicle that was parked in the driveway of a home in Wahpeton. 

The pickup had obvious damage and the driver was arrested at a nearby home.

The driver of the pickup was identified as 52-year-old Chad Olson of Wahpeton, who is facing felony charges of criminal vehicular injury and leaving the scene of the injury crash. 

Authorities say those charges will now be upgraded.

Story by Tasha Carvell / KFGO