Absent minded driver loses passenger

An absent minded driver lost a passenger after veering into a ditch and regaining control of her car while traveling north of Blackduck.

Fifteen-year-old Kendall Ericksen of Baudette was sleeping in the back seat of a 2006 Chevrolet Impala as it was traveling southbound on Highway 72 Sunday, according to a report in The Bemidji Pioneer.

At about 10:30 a.m., the car's driver, 72-year-old Louise Ericksen of Baudette, lost control of the car.

From the Pioneer: "The Impala traveled along the ditch slope and struck a no passing sign on the left rear door area, which broke out a window. Kendall Ericksen was sleeping in the rear passenger area and was ejected through the window and landed in the ditch."

According to a report from the Minnesota State Patrol the driver managed to get back on the road, but continued driving until she and another passenger noticed Ericksen was missing.

The driver turned the car around and found Ericksen standing along the highway. She was treated for minor injuries.

• Editor’s notebook: Covering the environment in 2014
• Best of Minnesota Scenes from 2014
• 50 years of memory making in the Boundary Waters