Keyshawn Michael Beckom Identified as Victim in Fatal St. Louis County Crash as Alcohol Suspected
Keyshawn Beckom, 23, of Duluth, Minnesota, died after a Jeep crashed into a power pole on Highway 2 near Culver Township.
A tragic crash along Highway 2 in southern St. Louis County has left a Duluth community grieving after 23-year-old Keyshawn Michael Beckom lost his life early Saturday morning. Authorities said the fatal collision happened near Culver Township when a Jeep Grand Cherokee left the roadway and slammed into a power pole with devastating force. The crash has renewed concerns about impaired driving and the dangers of overnight travel on rural highways across Minnesota.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the crash occurred around 3:45 a.m. near milepost 236 on Highway 2. Preliminary findings indicate the Jeep was traveling eastbound when it crossed into the oncoming lane before gradually drifting into the north ditch. Investigators said the SUV then struck a power pole hard enough to snap it in half before eventually coming to rest facing westbound with all four tires on the ground.
Emergency responders arriving at the scene discovered Keyshawn Beckom, who was riding as a passenger in the vehicle, suffering from fatal injuries. Authorities confirmed he was pronounced dead at the scene. The sudden loss of the 23-year-old has deeply affected family members, friends, and community members in Duluth, where many are now mourning a life cut tragically short in the early hours of the morning.
Officials identified the driver as 24-year-old Lee Arthur Green of Duluth. Authorities said Green survived the crash and was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Investigators have not announced whether charges are expected, though the Minnesota State Patrol confirmed alcohol is suspected to have been a contributing factor in the collision.
Authorities noted that road conditions were dry at the time of the crash, suggesting weather was not a major factor in the incident. Multiple emergency agencies responded to the scene, including the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Fond du Lac Police Department, Culver Fire Department, Cloquet Ambulance, St. Louis Fire, and Life Link. The response required significant coordination as crews secured the damaged area and addressed hazards caused by the downed power pole.
Separate from the crash investigation, authorities confirmed that 23-year-old Destiny Marie Shepherd was later booked into the St. Louis County Jail on a misdemeanor probable cause charge involving obstruction or interference with law enforcement. Officials have not publicly confirmed whether the arrest is directly connected to the fatal crash investigation, and law enforcement agencies have declined to comment on online speculation regarding personal relationships connected to those involved.
As investigators continue examining evidence, the Minnesota State Patrol is working to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the deadly collision. Crash reconstruction efforts are expected to include analysis of vehicle movement, driver condition, and other contributing circumstances surrounding the overnight crash on Highway 2.
For loved ones of Keyshawn Beckom, the days ahead will be filled with grief and unanswered questions following a tragedy that unfolded in only seconds. In Duluth and across St. Louis County, the fatal crash serves as another painful reminder of how quickly lives can change on the roadway. Friends and family continue remembering Beckom while hoping the ongoing investigation brings clarity to the heartbreaking events of Saturday morning.