A 25-year-old man has been charged with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide after a head-on crash in Minnesota killed a 51-year-old woman, prosecutors allege.
Jacob Lee Thatcher, of Fergus Falls, is accused of driving into the path of Basro Hassan Abokar’s Buick Regal on Highway 59 in Erhards Grove Township, Otter Tail County, on 6 September.
Abokar, who was from Pelican Rapids, was pronounced dead at the scene. Thatcher suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening and was taken to hospital.
Fatal Highway 59 crash
The Minnesota State Patrol said the collision happened at about 4.50pm near milepost 235, while the road was wet. Thatcher was driving a Volkswagen Passat southbound and Abokar was travelling north in the Buick.
According to the criminal complaint, a witness told investigators that Thatcher’s car was weaving across the lane and came close to entering a ditch before swerving into oncoming traffic.
The witness said she saw the Volkswagen collide with Abokar’s vehicle after looking in her rear-view mirror.
When questioned in hospital, Thatcher allegedly told a state trooper that he had been travelling at least 75mph in a 60mph zone. He reportedly blamed problems with the Volkswagen, including unbalanced tyres, faulty brake callipers and a severe vibration he described as a “death wobble”.
Thatcher also allegedly admitted drinking a shot of 99-proof liquor before the crash. He told police that medication made him particularly sensitive to alcohol and said it was “not a good mix with my medications”, according to the complaint.
He further told investigators that he had used a THC vape pen the night before. The trooper said Thatcher’s eyes appeared bloodshot, the complaint states.
Thatcher allegedly said he had become impatient with a vehicle travelling slowly in front of him and intended to overtake it when the collision occurred.
A blood sample was obtained under a search warrant and sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing. The results were not available when the charges were filed.
The two charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000 each, according to court information. Thatcher remains accused and has not been found guilty.
Abokar’s colleagues at the Fergus Falls Walmart have remembered her for her kindness and described her as a valued member of the team.
