HOYT LAKES, MN–The Bovey man who told authorities he intentionally hit and seriously injured a mail carrier on the Iron Range will be mentally evaluated.
According to the St. Louis County Court Administrator’s Office in Virginia, a judge made that ruling during 56-year-old Alan Birt’s court hearing Monday.
Birt is charged with 1st Degree Assault, and the rule 20.02 evaluation will determine if he can claim mental illness as a defense.
According to court documents, Birt was driving a three-quarter ton truck in Hoyt Lakes shortly before 11 a.m. May 8 when when he hit the victim’s mail truck. Witnesses said they heard him come down the street traveling about 80 miles an hour.
Officials say the 55-year-old mail carrier was ejected to the road where she received a skull fracture and four broken ribs