Authorities are investigating the death of a White Earth man following an ATV pursuit Thursday evening.
According to the Becker County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy was on patrol in White Earth on May 8th when he spotted a man driving an ATV on the highway near the intersection of County Highways 34 and 21.
The deputy recognized the driver as 47-year-old Michael James Azure and knew his driving privileges had been cancelled as inimical to public safety. When the deputy activated emergency lights, officials say Azure fled southbound onto Mission Road. The ATV later entered a trail south of White Earth, where the deputy lost sight of it.
A short time later, the ATV was found abandoned in a field south of White Earth. Deputies searching the area located Azure unresponsive in a nearby wooded area. Law enforcement and emergency crews began life-saving measures, but Azure was pronounced dead at the scene.
His body was taken to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. Authorities say the cause of death remains under investigation.
Assisting at the scene were the White Earth Police Department, White Earth Fire Department, White Earth Ambulance, Life Link Air Care, and the Minnesota State Patrol.
By Karen Downing