The community of Wahpeton, North Dakota, has been grappling with a mix of emotions following the tragic death of Bailey Bernstein and the subsequent legal proceedings against Chad Olson, 53, of Wahpeton. Olson was charged with driving a truck under the influence of alcohol after Bernstein was struck and killed.
On October 15th, 2023, the world lost a truly remarkable person: Bailey Bernstein of Wahpeton, North Dakota, just shy of her 21st birthday. Bailey was more than just a young woman with an incredible future ahead of her-she was a force of positivity, a natural leader, and a deeply compassionate individual whose presence was felt by everyone around her. Bailey had the rare gift of making everything she touched better.
She knew the perfect thing to say, the right thing to do, and how to approach life with the wisdom and maturity that went far beyond her years. Bailey was the heart of every community she was part of. She was the first to volunteer, the first to roll up her sleeves and do the hard work, and she always made sure to balance work with joy. She worked as hard as she played, and no matter the situation, she brought people together. Bailey had friends from all walks of life, each with different interests, and she was the glue that held them all together. Her energy was magnetic, and she was the pillar that others leaned on for support.
The blocks of friendship, connection, and community that Bailey helped build are still standing, but they are weaker, struggling without her. Her memory is still with us, guiding us to ask, “What would Bailey do?”-but it is not the same. The world is missing her light, her laughter, her wisdom, and her endless capacity for love.
This unimaginable loss was not the result of fate or circumstance; it was the result of a choice. A choice made by Chad Olson, who chose to drive while intoxicated. It was one of many poor choices in his life, but this one cost Bailey Bernstein her life. His decision has caused irreparable harm. The life of a brilliant, compassionate, and driven young woman has been cut short, and those who loved her are left to pick up the pieces.
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What makes this tragedy even more painful is the complete lack of remorse and accountability that Chad Olson has shown. His reckless decision shattered countless lives, yet he has not acknowledged the depth of his wrongdoing. His failure to take responsibility for his actions only deepens the suffering of those left behind. This absence of remorse dishonors Bailey’s memory and makes it clear that the system must hold him fully accountable to prevent further tragedies.
We can only hope that the justice system will remember Bailey Bernstein and her loss the next time Chad Olson makes another reckless choice. His pattern of poor decisions may continue, but the system has the responsibility to ensure no one else suffers the same fate as Bailey.
The world is undeniably darker without her in it, and the hole left in our lives will never be filled.
The legal journey concluded with Olson bypassing a trial by entering a guilty plea to both of his original charges. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for each charge. However, Richland County Court Judge Bradley Cruff ruled that Olson would serve the sentences concurrently, requiring him to serve only five years, with the other five years suspended. Olson received credit for the 342 days he had already served on house arrest and will be under three years of supervised probation upon release, with conditions including abstaining from alcohol and having no contact with the Bernstein family.
Victim impact statements were delivered in court immediately before Cruff's decisions. On October 7, 2023, in Wahpeton, Bernstein, 20, was struck by Olson’s vehicle while walking on 11th Avenue South with her mother, Christy Bernstein. Bailey Bernstein died on Oct. 15, 2023.
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Olson was initially out on $50,000 bond, facing charges of criminal vehicular homicide-felony involving a motor vehicle, a Class A felony, and duty in accident involving death or injury-death, a Class B felony. However, he was later found driving a vehicle, leading to a warrant for violating probation terms, and he turned himself in days before his sentencing.
During the sentencing, the family expressed increasing upset with Judge Cruff’s reasoning and their dissatisfaction with the legal system. Bailey’s father, Jon Bernstein, expressed his apologies, stating that they were "going through a lot right now”.
During the emotional statements, Olson, in a Richland County Jail jumpsuit, looked straight ahead, occasionally dropping his chin into his chest. Over the past year, the Bernstein family had concerns regarding statements made by Olson’s attorney, Mark Friese, suggesting the incident did not justify the charges.
In court, Friese described Olson as “a compassionate, hard working and talented person” who held several jobs, which drew negative reactions. Olson apologized, acknowledging he could not undo his actions.
Richland County State Attorney Megan Kummer stated she met with the Bernstein family to discuss the plea, emphasizing “there will be severe consequences.” Kummer secured a guilty plea to the original charges without dropping any charges or accepting a plea to a lesser charge.
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A scholarship fund has been established in Bailey's memory. Donations can be sent to Bell Bank at 717 2nd Avenue N Wahpeton, N.D. 58075.
Update on Wahpeton Hit and Run
Here is the full statement from Bailey Bernstein’s uncle, Shad Bernstein, for the family:
His decision has caused irreparable harm. The life of a brilliant, compassionate, and driven young woman has been cut short, and those who loved her are left to pick up the pieces.
This absence of remorse dishonors Bailey’s memory and makes it clear that the system must hold him fully accountable to prevent further tragedies. We can only hope that the justice system will remember Bailey Bernstein and her loss the next time Chad Olson makes another reckless choice.
The world is undeniably darker without her in it, and the hole left in our lives will never be filled.
Bailey Bernstein. Photo from wahpetondailynews.com
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