Meeker County (trfnews.i234.me) — A 19-year-old man from Cokato faces felony charges. The case ties to a fatal crash near Dassel.
Elijah Michael Miller is charged with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide. Prosecutors allege careless driving. They also allege he drove after drinking.
The crash happened around 3:05 a.m. on Aug. 24, 2025. Deputies were sent to Meeker County Road 6 outside Dassel. Investigators say the vehicle left the road and hit a power pole.
Miller and his passenger were trapped in the vehicle. First responders pulled both from the wreck. Miller moved but did not respond. He was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.
His passenger, 19-year-old Nolan Henke of Dassel, was pronounced dead at the scene. A medical examiner found a major head injury. The report also listed a skull fracture.
What investigators say happened
Investigators say Miller drove west at a high speed. They say he lost control before the crash. Tire marks were found on the roadway.
The complaint says the car entered the south ditch near 746th Avenue. It then struck a guide wire. The vehicle rolled into the pole on the passenger side. It later stopped upright.
Investigators estimated the impact speed at 71 to 73 mph. They said the weather was not a factor. They also said no mechanical defect was found.
Alcohol evidence in the case
Court records say a blood sample was taken at the hospital. The test showed a blood alcohol level of 0.09%. Minnesota defines impairment at 0.08% for most drivers.
A juvenile witness told investigators she saw Miller earlier that night. She said he arrived at her home around 12:30 a.m. Henke was with him.
The witness said Miller told her he had been drinking. She said his speech sounded slurred. She also said he was unsteady. She said he kept drinking at home.
She said she urged him not to drive. She told officers the two left around 3 a.m.
Phone crash alert
The complaint says crash detection on Henke’s phone sent an alert. A family member received the notice at 3:05 a.m. That time matched the crash report.
Court date and next steps
Miller’s first court appearance is scheduled for March 31, 2026. It is set in Meeker County District Court. The charges are allegations. Miller is presumed innocent unless convicted.
The crash was investigated with help from the Minnesota State Patrol and the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office. Case information is also available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch. State law is listed at Minn. Stat. § 609.2112.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.