UPDATE: 10/18 – 9:38 a.m.

The charges against Chad Olson have officially upgraded to Criminal Vehicular Homicide (Class A Felony) and Duty in an Accident involving Death or Injury (Class B Felony).

UPDATE: 10/16 – 9:20 a.m.

After a couple of days in the hospital fighting life-threatening injuries suffered from a hit-and-run in Wahpeton on Thursday night, 20-year-old Bailey Bernstein has succumbed to her injuries.

According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, Bailey died on Saturday, October 14 in Sanford Hospital.

The 52-year-old Wahpeton man who hit her and fled the scene, Chad Olson, was being charged with two counts of Criminal Vehicular Injury. Law enforcement is now considering upgrading his charges.

UPDATE: 10/13 – 7:30 a.m.

The driver who hit a 20-year-old Wahpeton woman and then fled the scene has officially been arrested by law enforcement.

According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, thanks to a tip from the public, the vehicle that fled the scene was located by police in a driveway at a residence in Wahpeton. The driver of the vehicle was located and identified as a 52-year-old Wahpeton man.

The man was arrested and charged with Criminal Vehicular Injury, which is an enhanced DUI charge, and Leaving the Scene of an Injury Crash. Both are felony charges.

The 20-year-old woman who was struck suffered life-threatening injuries. She was transported by ambulance from the crash scene to St. Francis Hospital in Breckenridge and then transported by Sanford Life Flight to Sanford Hospital in Fargo.

The crash remains under investigation at this time.

ORIGINAL STORY: 10/12 – 10:02 p.m.

WAHPETON, N.D. (KXNET) — One person has life-threatening injuries this evening after a hit-and-run crash in Wahpeton.

According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, it happened on Thursday, October 12 around 7:40 p.m. in the 400 block of 11th Avenue S, on the north side of the Wahpeton Airport.

A dark-colored, 3/4-1 ton pickup with a loud exhaust was heading east on 11th Ave S when it hit a female pedestrian who was walking along the south side of the road. Possibly on 4th, 3rd, 2nd, or 1st Street S or 182nd Avenue SE.

The pickup fled the scene, still heading east, and then turned north onto one of the streets to the east of the crash site.

The pickup will have damage to the front passenger side, and possibly windshield damage.

The Wahpeton Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, and NDHP responded and are still investigating.

They are asking for help from the public to locate the suspect vehicle and the driver involved.

Law enforcement is looking for:

• Any video from homes in the area and the direction the vehicle fled.
• Any videos from businesses in the area and the direction the vehicle fled.
• Anyone who can identify the vehicle or suspect.

If anyone has information, please call the Richland County Dispatch Center at (701) 642-7777 or ND State Radio at (701) 328-9921. If it’s an emergency, call 911.

The report can be made anonymously.

The public should not approach the suspect or vehicle if they are identified or found.