White Bear Township (trfnews.i234.me)—In a devastating incident on Thursday, March 27, 2025, a 72-year-old woman lost her life after being struck by a vehicle while crossing the intersection of White Bear Parkway and Birch Lake Boulevard North in White Bear Township. Witnesses reported that the driver, operating a Kia Telluride, failed to slow down and hit the woman as she used a clearly marked crosswalk. The driver then fled the scene, heading eastbound.
Emergency responders arrived promptly to find a bystander administering CPR. Despite their efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Approximately 20 minutes later, 46-year-old Christopher Ronald Olson of White Bear Lake arrived at the White Bear Lake Police Department with his mother to confess his involvement in the incident. Officers observed signs of intoxication, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor of alcohol. Olson admitted to consuming four shooter bottles of vodka after work and was not paying attention while driving with cruise control set at 40 mph. A preliminary breath test indicated a blood alcohol concentration of 0.154, nearly twice the legal limit.
Investigators also discovered a loaded handgun in Olson’s vehicle’s center console. He did not possess a permit to carry the weapon. Olson has a history of two prior DWI convictions from 2009 and 2012.
Olson has been charged with three counts of criminal vehicular homicide, each carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. These charges include operating a vehicle with negligence while under the influence of alcohol, causing a death while driving with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours, and failing to stop at the scene of an accident involving death.
The victim’s identity has not yet been released, and the community mourns this tragic loss. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News.
Did you know?
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In Minnesota, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for driving is 0.08%. Exceeding this limit significantly increases the risk of accidents and severe legal consequences.
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Pedestrians have the right of way in marked crosswalks. Drivers are legally required to yield to pedestrians in these areas to ensure their safety.
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Carrying a loaded firearm without a permit, especially while under the influence of alcohol, is a serious offense in Minnesota, leading to additional legal charges.