Investigators say Keller and the victim arrived together at a home to meet a woman. The three argued outside about the property they were supposed to split. During the dispute, Keller allegedly struck the woman. The victim told her to go inside, and she last saw Keller and the victim continuing to argue near a white SUV.
At 12:45 a.m. on September 11, the woman received a text message from a number linked to Keller that read, “How’s [the victim] feeling you f***in losers.” She replied that she had not seen him, leading to a heated exchange. Around six hours later, neighbors discovered the victim lying in the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators later learned that Keller had fled to Superior, Wisconsin. His girlfriend there told officers that Keller admitted he and the victim had fought inside the SUV and that “it got really bad.” She said Keller confessed to striking the victim with the vehicle as he drove away, saying he “hit [the victim] pretty good.”
A warrant has been issued for Keller’s arrest, valid in Minnesota and neighboring states. If convicted, Keller faces up to 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both. The identity of the victim has not yet been released.
Criminal vehicular homicide is among the most serious traffic-related offenses in Minnesota, carrying lengthy prison terms and steep fines. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the fatal confrontation.
For more information on Minnesota’s vehicular homicide statutes, visit the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
