Man dies in ATV crash

A man died after apparently hitting a tree on his ATV last week.

A motorist came upon the crash and dialed 911 at 7:52 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, on the 3500 block of Pine Road in Barnum Township. Paul Douglas Nelson, 51, was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, the initial investigation revealed Nelson was driving an ATV northbound on Pine Road when it left the roadway and struck a tree. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. It is not clear what caused the ATV to leave the roadway.

Carlton County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded, along with members of the Barnum Fire Department, Blackhoof Fire Department and Essentia Moose Lake EMS. The sheriff’s office also received assistance from the Moose Lake Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, and the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office.

The crash remains under investigation.