Sanborn man responsible for crash that left educator paralyzed sentenced to jail

A Sanborn man responsible for a crash that left a school superintendent paralyzed was sentenced in Redwood County Court. Vincent David Irlbeck, 54, was convicted of criminal vehicular operation – bodily harm, gross negligence last month in Redwood County Court.

According to court documents, Irlbeck ran a stop sign on Knox Ave, near Sanborn, and crashed into an eastbound Dodge Caravan on Highway 14. Crash reports identified one of the passengers in the Caravan as Bruce Edward Olson, 64, of Sanborn. Olson sustained head injuries, a broken spinal cord, and neck, according to the complaint.  Court documents say he is now a quadriplegic, which means he has lost the use of all four limbs and his torso.

At the time of the crash Olson was the superintendent at Red Rock Central School District in Sanborn.  He was airlifted to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale with life-threatening injuries.

A criminal complaint says the day of the crash was clear, and the crash site was in an open area, with no agricultural obstruction. Irlbeck told investigators he travels Knox Ave multiple times a day and knew there were stop signs.

Irlbeck was sentenced to 364 days in jail, with all but 75 days stayed for four years. Irlbeck will spend four years on supervised probation and was ordered to write letters of apology to each of his victims.  Irlbeck must also pay $119,657 in fines and restitution.