Driver Of Beartown Fire Department Truck Arrested

ANOKA COUNTY, MINN. — The driver of the truck from the Beartown Fire Department that crashed and killed two people Saturday afternoon in Blaine, Minn. has been arrested.

According to records from the Anoka County Jail, Michael Allen Johnson, 28, of Baraga, is facing a charge of criminal vehicular homicide – operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner.

Police say Johnson was behind the wheel Saturday at 3:00 p.m. on I-35W, when the truck hit the median and rolled. Two Baraga men- Alan Swartz, 25, and James Shelifoe Jr., 23, died in the crash.

Seven other firefighters were injured in the accident. The firefighters were headed to Utah to help fight the Box Canyon wildfire.

The Beartown Fire Department is part of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.