Wahpeton man facing Class A Felony charge after hit-and-run victim dies

(Wahpeton, ND) – A 52-year-old Wahpeton man’s charges have been upgraded in a hit-and-run crash last week in the City of Wahpeton.

According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, two females were walking eastbound on 11th Avenue South in the 400 block on October 12. They were along the south shoulder of the highway.

A 2018 Chevy Silverado, driven by 52-year-old Chad Olson, was also eastbound on 11th Avenue South when he struck one of the pedestrians, identified as 20-year-old Bailey Bernstein. Bernstein was thrown into the south ditch. After striking the woman, Olson did not stop and continued eastbound on 11th Avenue South, fleeing from the scene.

Bernstein was originally transferred to St. Francis Hospital in Breckenridge, before being airlifted to Sanford Hospital in Fargo, where she died Sunday.

Olson is now charged with two felonies – a Class B Felony charge of Duty in accident involving death or injury-Death, and a Class A Felony charge of Criminal vehicular homicide-Felony involving a motor vehicle.

He is due back in Richland County District Court on November 27.