parks
Minneapolis man charged for driving at 2 Washington County campground workers
By Sabrina Salguero Del Cid at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 17, 2026
· 1 min read
A Minneapolis man is charged after he drove at two campground workers in Washington County, court documents show.
According to a criminal complaint, 53-year-old Michael Fritz is facing two counts of second-degree assault and one count of fleeing a peace officer.
Washington County deputies w...
Key takeaway According to a criminal complaint, 53-year-old Michael Fritz is facing two counts of second-degree assault and one count of fleeing a peace officer.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The incident at Saint Croix Bluffs Campground raises concerns about public safety in Washington County's outdoor recreational areas. As a popular destination for Twin Cities residents, the campground is likely to be frequented by Minneapolis and St. Paul visitors, making this incident a local issue that transcends county lines. The fact that Fritz allegedly drove through multiple campsites, putting not only the workers but also other potential campers at risk, highlights the need for effective law enforcement presence and emergency response plans in these areas. With the omnibus hearing scheduled for September 16, it will be worth watching how the court handles this case and whether it leads to any changes in how Washington County manages its campgrounds and responds to incidents involving aggressive behavior. The safety of campground workers and visitors alike depends on a thorough investigation and appropriate consequences for those who pose a threat.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Minneapolis stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering parks and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Minneapolis man is charged after he drove at two campground workers in Washington County, court documents show.
According to a criminal complaint, 53-year-old Michael Fritz is facing two counts of second-degree assault and one count of fleeing a peace officer.
Washington County deputies w...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sabrina Salguero Del Cid at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More parks →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter