Blake Unger Obituary-Death News; Blake Unger Dies, Izak Schermerhorn Arrested following Drunken Driving Crash
A tragic car crash in western Minnesota has left a tight-knit community in mourning after 18-year-old Blake Unger of Bluffton was killed late Tuesday night. The fatal wreck occurred around 10:45 p.m. approximately five miles north of Wadena, at the rural intersection of 370th Street and 640th Avenue, according to the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities say Unger was a passenger in a pickup truck driven by 18-year-old Izak Schermerhorn of New York Mills. The vehicle left the road and landed on its side in a ditch. Unger was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was discovered near the wreckage.
Schermerhorn, the driver, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and underage drinking. A felony charge of criminal vehicular homicide is pending, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed. Authorities are continuing to investigate the crash, including awaiting toxicology results and reconstructing the sequence of events.
Both teens were recent students of New York Mills High School. Unger had just graduated on Friday, days before the accident. Known throughout the school for his kindness, enthusiasm, and athletic talent, Blake was a well-rounded and admired student. He played on the football, wrestling, and baseball teams and was voted homecoming king this past fall a testament to the love and respect his classmates had for him.
The news of Blake’s sudden death has sent shockwaves through the New York Mills community. On Wednesday, the final day of school for the year, Superintendent Adam Johnson shared a heartfelt message with district families: “It is with a great deal of sadness that I share this message with you … that a member of our school community has passed away in a motor vehicle accident. This is a devastating time for our entire community.”
Support services, including grief counselors and crisis response teams, have been made available to students and staff as the school grapples with the loss. Vigils and memorials are being organized by classmates, teachers, and community members to honor Blake’s life and legacy.
“He had such a bright future ahead of him,” said one classmate. “He was always smiling, always cheering everyone on, and he truly loved being a part of this school and community.”
For those who knew Blake, the pain of his loss is compounded by the tragic circumstances of the crash. What was meant to be a week of celebration for a graduating class has turned into a time of heartbreak, reflection, and support.
The community is also bracing for the legal proceedings ahead involving Schermerhorn, who now faces potentially life-altering consequences. Many in the area are urging young drivers to take this tragedy as a sobering reminder of the risks of impaired driving.
While the investigation into the accident continues, one thing is certain—Blake Unger will be remembered not for the way his life ended, but for the remarkable young man he was: a leader on the field, a loyal friend, and a beloved son. His absence will be deeply felt, and his memory cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
