Pelican Rapids Woman Killed; Driver Faces Charges
Otter Tail County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Pelican Rapids woman was killed in a head-on Highway 59 crash on September 6.
The Minnesota State Patrol identified the woman as Basro Hassan Abokar, 51.
A second driver, Jacob Lee Thatcher, 25, of Fergus Falls, survived the crash.
Thatcher has since been charged with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide.
Crash Happened on Highway 59
The crash happened at 4:50 p.m. in Erhards Grove Township.
It occurred near mile marker 235 on Highway 59.
Abokar was driving a 2004 Buick Regal north on the highway.
Thatcher was driving a 2015 Volkswagen Passat south, according to the State Patrol.
The vehicles collided in the northbound lane, according to later court records.
Abokar died at the scene.
The State Patrol reported that she was wearing a seat belt.
Thatcher suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
He was taken to a Fergus Falls hospital for treatment.
The roadway was wet when the crash happened.
The original Minnesota State Patrol crash report listed alcohol as suspected for Thatcher.
Driver Charged After Investigation
Prosecutors charged Thatcher in Otter Tail County District Court on September 10.
He faces two counts of criminal vehicular homicide.
Each count carries up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
According to the criminal complaint, a witness saw Thatcher’s vehicle weaving before the crash.
The witness reported seeing the vehicle move toward the ditch and opposing traffic.
The witness then saw Thatcher’s vehicle swerve into Abokar’s vehicle, according to the complaint.
Thatcher told investigators he had consumed alcohol earlier that day.
He also reported using THC before the crash, according to the complaint.
Investigators obtained a blood sample under a search warrant.
Testing results were pending when the charges were announced.
Criminal Vehicular Homicide Charges
Minnesota law covers criminal vehicular homicide involving negligent or impaired driving.
The charges against Thatcher are allegations.
He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The crash remains a fatal incident investigated by the Minnesota State Patrol.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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