A 62 year old man was seriously injured Sunday when a train struck him. Just after midnight Northfield Officers responded to an Injury Accident on the railroad tracks near Fremouw Av. and Dresden Av. At the scene, officers discovered a southbound train had struck Apolinar Hernandez of Northfield who was on the tracks south of Fremouw Av. Police Chief Monte Nelson said, it appears railroad staff sounded their horn, saw the person on the tracks, and braked, but Hernandez was struck. He suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center. Nelson said what his condition was BEFORE the crash isn’t
known. Alcohol isn’t ruled out but, Nelson said, “the challenge is, our goal is to get the person emergency medical care as quickly as possible when they’re suffering some sort of serious injury like that, so some of our other investigative things that we might do in other circumstances that would give us more of those answers, we just don’t have time for” . HCMC reports that Hernandez is in satisfactory condition. On July 7th two were airlifted after a crash near the Faribault Woolen Mill when an SUV struck a train. That incident is still being investigated. Both people are recovering. Nelson said trains are a part of Northfield and sometimes we get lax around them. Nelson said, “unfortunately we do see people from time to time drive around stop arms, go through red warning lights or walking out and around. Some of the activity is illegal and all of it is unsafe”. It’s considered trespassing to walk on the tracks. The incident was investigated by Northfield Police, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, and Union Pacific Railroad personnel.
Man with multiple domestic violence convictions charged again
A man with multiple domestic violence convictions is charged again for stalking a Northfield woman. Last Friday Northfield police were contacted by a woman, KP, who said her ex-boyfriend, 34 year old Todd Richard Chauvin, contacted her 79 times the day before through 3rd parties. Chauvin is in the Rice Co. jail currently and blocked from calling her but he used relatives and a bail bondsman to contact her via text messages and phone calls saying he needed to speak to her. The woman told police that she’s been in contact with him because she’s afraid of him. She does have a DANCO against him. Chauvin has 5 prior domestic violence convictions, he’s presently in the Rice Co. jail on charges of terroristic threats and stalking. He’s also on a Dept. of Corrections hold for violations of probation including contacting KP. Chauvin is charged with a total of 5 felonies, 2 counts of felony stalking carrying up to 10 years in prison. His court appearance is August 14th. Chauvin complaint
Candidate filing for Special Election for Nfld Councilor-at-Large now open
The filing period for the special election to elect a candidate for the Northfield Council member-at-large vacancy began at 8 this morning and ends at 5 pm on Tuesday, August 15, 2017. The position is currently being filled by Greg Colby who was appointed to fill Rhonda Pownell’s seat when she was elected Mayor last year. To apply contact City Clerk Deb Little at ci.northfield.mn.us . That link takes you directly to the filing page.
