Detroit Lakes (trfnews.i234.me) — A 21-year-old rural Detroit Lakes woman has been sentenced after a deadly distracted driving crash that killed an 81-year-old pedestrian.
Mariska Kay Nunn was sentenced in Becker County District Court on a felony count of criminal vehicular homicide. Court records said she drove in a grossly negligent manner when the crash happened.
Crash Happened on Randolph Road
The crash happened at about 12:15 p.m. on Sept. 3, 2024, on Randolph Road in Detroit Lakes.
Investigators found Dean Chadbourne, 81, of Detroit Lakes, lying in the eastbound lane. A Ford Focus was stopped nearby in the westbound lane. The vehicle had a damaged windshield and a broken driver’s side mirror.
Chadbourne was still breathing when first responders arrived. He was able to speak at the scene. He was later taken by ambulance to the Detroit Lakes Airport. He died from his injuries at about 1 p.m.
Phone Records Became Key Evidence
Nunn told officers she was driving home from her boyfriend’s house in Frazee. She said she was traveling west on Randolph Road. She first said she did not see Chadbourne in the road.
She also said her phone was on her lap during the crash. Later, she admitted she had been watching a TikTok video when the collision happened.
Investigators seized her phone as evidence. Court records said phone data showed TikTok videos were viewed several times just before the crash. Her 911 call came less than a minute after the last video was played.
An autopsy found Chadbourne died from multiple traumatic injuries caused by the vehicle collision.
A State Patrol reconstruction said Nunn’s car hit Chadbourne with the front driver’s side corner. The impact threw him onto the hood. He then struck the windshield and roofline. As the car stopped, he also hit the mirror and window before landing on the road.
Sentence Was Below State Guidelines
Under a plea deal, Judge Ole Tvedten issued a stay of imposition on Feb. 26. If Nunn completes probation, the felony case will be reduced to a misdemeanor conviction.
Nunn was ordered to serve 180 days in the Becker County Jail. Work release may be allowed under jail policy. She was also fined $50, plus $85 in court fees.
She must complete cognitive skills training and other probation programs. She must also get an educational assessment and follow all recommended treatment.
In addition, Nunn must speak to students in Detroit Lakes High School driver’s education classes. She must discuss the dangers of cellphone use while driving.
Court records said the sentence was a downward departure. The court cited her remorse and acceptance of responsibility. Records also said she was seen as amenable to probation and treatment.
State sentencing guidelines called for a presumptive 48-month prison sentence for someone with no criminal history. More court information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Distracted driving safety information is available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
Ya only 6 mouths
Pathetic sentence, she should’ve been sentenced to 5 years minimum but this is liberal MN where a simple DUI (no property damage or bodily harm, no accident or aggravating circumstance) gets a stiffer penalty than a violent crime or killing someone.
Jason Bruun it’s still considered an accidental death at best manslaughter 🤣🤣 yes they’re criminally liable but they don’t deserve life for that that’s why there’s laws in place to protect citizens from overzealous charges
Sid Willson II the only person that’s bringing up a life sentence is you. Maybe YOU should read my statement again before you try and engage in an intellectual discussion so you’re actually talking apples to apples.
Natalie Bergstrom ya but now if it was some that got stop with no car Insurance our no Driver Licenses then you get 1 year in jail and a $1000 fine