Roseau County Crash: Woman Says Dog Grabbed Wheel
Roseau County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Minnesota woman is accused of causing a fatal head-on crash that killed an 82-year-old woman.
Court records say Shauna Rae Dokken, 43, told investigators her dog grabbed the steering wheel before the crash.
Dokken was charged Monday in Roseau County District Court with criminal vehicular homicide. Prosecutors allege she operated a vehicle in a grossly negligent manner.
Fatal Crash On Highway 11
The charge stems from a June 27 crash on Minnesota Highway 11.
Authorities say Dokken was driving a Ford F-250 before the crash. Barbara Lee Welberg, 82, was driving a Kia Sorento.
According to the criminal complaint, several motorists reported Dokken driving erratically before the collision.
One witness told investigators he called 911 after seeing the pickup cross into oncoming traffic.
Authorities allege that Dokken’s pickup later crossed the center line. It then collided head-on with Welberg’s Kia Sorento.
Welberg was pronounced dead at the scene. Dokken was taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.
Investigators Cite Varying Statements
Investigators said Dokken gave different accounts of what happened before the crash.
According to the complaint, Dokken said her dog interfered with the vehicle. She also said the dog grabbed the steering wheel.
Responding troopers noted that Dokken appeared to have slurred speech, according to court records.
The complaint says Dokken told investigators she had taken prescription medications that day. Those medications included Buspar, lorazepam, and Adderall.
Dokken denied drinking alcohol. A preliminary breath test registered 0.00, according to the complaint.
Authorities later obtained a search warrant for a blood sample. The sample was sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing.
Case Remains Under Investigation
The Roseau County Attorney’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing.
Prosecutors said more charges could be filed after lab results are returned.
Court records also cite statements from Dokken’s significant other. That person told investigators that Dokken had previously misused prescription medications.
The allegations in the complaint have not been proven in court.
Dokken remained in custody Monday after a detention order was signed by Roseau County District Judge Tamara Yon.
A Roseau County Attorney’s Office representative told TRF News that defendants are accompanied by a public defender at initial appearances.
It was not immediately clear if Dokken would keep a public defender or hire private counsel.
TRF News reached out to the Minnesota State Patrol for more information.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.