FARGO, N.D. (trfnews.i234.me) – Elijah Viestenz has been charged with driving while intoxicated in Becker County, a citation that came two months before the scheduled end of his probation. The probation stemmed from a 2021 incident where 21-year-old Isaiah Johnson died in a crash involving Viestenz.
In February 2021, both individuals had been drinking at a bar and were traveling downtown when the vehicle crashed at a high speed of 90 miles per hour, ejecting Johnson from the car. Viestenz, 19 at the time, called 911 but falsely claimed Johnson was driving before leaving the scene.
As part of a plea agreement, Viestenz was held accountable only for leaving the scene. He served 60 days in jail, performed 1,000 hours of community service, and was on supervised probation for three years, set to conclude in January 2024.
This new citation prompted prosecutors to reopen the case. Johnson’s mother has expressed intent to attend future hearings, though the court’s next steps remain undetermined.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for trfnews.i234.me