Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 10 comments Add your own | iPod friendly
VFW baseball coach killed in accident
Originally published 11:49 a.m., February 17, 2008
Updated 06:39 a.m., February 18, 2008
Fergus Falls VFW baseball coach Isaiah Anderson died in a one-vehicle crash Saturday on I-94 near mile marker 57, the Big Chief exit.
Anderson was the coach of the Fergus Falls VFW baseball team last year and in 2006 led the Fergus Falls Babe Ruth White team as coach that went on to win the state tournament in Breckenridge. Anderson was signed on to be the Fergus Falls American Legion Post 30 baseball coach this summer.
"My heart just dropped when I heard it had happened. It was pretty devastating," said Phil Link, Anderson's high school baseball coach at Fergus Falls High School. Anderson was a backup catcher for the Otters. He played for the Fergus Falls Hurricanes for a couple of summers as a catcher.
"I had Isaiah a long time as a coach. He was on my state team. He was always good to coach. He was always dependable and he always worked hard. That's the kind that makes a good coach. He will be sadly missed," Link said.
Fergus Falls Hurricanes manager and teammate Dave Johnson recalled Anderson as a player who enjoyed the game of baseball.
"I was just shocked to hear it," Johnson said.
" He was just 23. He was too young to be taken away from us," he said.
"He was a good teammate, a guy who really enjoyed the game," Johnson said. "He played a position where you've got to be a leader out there and he was."
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Anderson died in a rollover accident after he lost control of the 1997 Ford pick-up he was driving eastbound on the interstate. The vehicle rolled twice before landing in the ditch. He was not wearing a seatbelt, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
There were two passengers in the vehicle. 21-year-old Andrew Price of Fergus Falls was not injured in the accident, the State Patrol stated. Allison Hendrickson, 22 of Roseau, was taken by ambulance to Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls where she was treated for non-serious injuries, according to the State Patrol.
The accident was reported at 10:57 p.m. Saturday. Names of the victims were released by the State Patrol at 5:17 a.m. Monday.
The State Patrol reported icy road conditions on I-94 at the time of the accident.
The Fergus Falls Police Department assisted at the scene.
Sports Editor Brian Hansel contributed to this story.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by hindsight (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My sympathy goes out to the families involved.. Pudge will be missed.
Posted by sas1963 (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thoughts & Prayers are with family & friends!!
Posted by topherrl (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Even as our own hearts are heavy with grief our sympathy and prayers go out to Lori and the rest of the family.
- The Leingang Family
Posted by 70guy (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and prayers are with all the families involved. Pudge sure will be missed greatly!! I love you buddy!
Posted by downtown (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Im gonna miss you buddy! My prayers and thoughts go out to the families involved. I'll never forget playing little league with you. I love ya bud!
Posted by gazelle41 (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pudge, I was absoulutly balling when I heard the news. You were one of my favorite friends and I am going to miss you sooo much! My thought and prayers go to you and your family and all your friends. I WILL MISS YOU EXTREMELY!
Posted by dmmcrawf (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Paul and Lori,
I am so grieved to hear of your great loss. Though we've not seen each other for a long time, I think of you an your family so very often. My prayers are with you and your family during this time.
Love, Mary (Sunde) Crawford
Posted by Rosemond28 (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He Will Be GREATLY Missed. My Prayers Are With The Familiy And Friends Who Lost A Handsome Angel
Posted by justme (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My heart goes out to this family, and let's not forget those who experienced the loss of their friend firsthand. May the happy memories of Isaac far outweigh the tragedy they witnessed and carry them through this.
Posted by CherylOlsen (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Elias, Lori, and Paul,
It seems not that long ago that we would be vacationing from Wisconsin or Long Island - our kids playing games, and adults visiting. And now, I am just aching with your loss! I am praying that God's presence will help each of you through this tragic time - and that the reality of Heaven will give you hope. In Him, Cheryl O.
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)