Driver Airlifted After Rollover Crash

A Douglas County man was airlifted to a local hospital Monday afternoon after being involved in a single vehicle rollover crash reported at 3:23pm.

The crash occurred on USH 2 west of the Village of Poplar. The driver is identified as Von Johnson, 40, with a last known address in Brule.

Witnesses stated the 1997 Ford Crown Vic operated by Johnson was westbound on USH 2 when it drifted off the right side of the road. The vehicle then over corrected and skidded sideways across both lanes of traffic, then started rolling over on the gravel lanes in the construction area, ending up on its roof. One witness described it as "flying and spinning like a helicopter".

The driver had to be extricated from the vehicle by Poplar VFD.  He was taken by Gold Cross Ambulance to the Poplar Fire Hall where he was transferred to a waiting helicopter and taken to St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth.