(KNOX) –A 39-year-old Grand Forks County man is facing felony charges after police say he led a deputy on a 10 mile pursuit before crashing into a tree.
A Grand Forks County Sheriff’s deputy tried to pull over Michael Duane Tolpingrud last Friday afternoon for driving 65 mph in a 55 mph zone on County Road 7. Police say Tolpingrud refused to stop and he accelerated up to 103 mph.
He continued northbound for six miles on 8th Street NE and then continued to drive toward Grand Forks. He turned northbound on Belmond Road and reached 91 mph before turning west onto 47th Avenue South. He then cut across the grass at the corner of Cherry Street and eventually crashed into the tree.
He’s accused of reckless endangerment and fleeing a peace officer, and he’s also facing a misdemeanor charge of driving under suspension.
Tolpingrud appeared in Grand Forks District Court Monday. His next court date is a preliminary hearing and arraignment scheduled for August 17, 2026.
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