A Minnesota woman has been charged following a fatal head-on crash that claimed the life of an 82-year-old woman after she allegedly told authorities her dog caused the accident.
Shauna Rae Dokken, 43, is facing charges including criminal vehicular homicide and driving while impaired. Court records also indicate she was on probation for an unrelated case at the time of the crash.
According to investigators, the collision occurred on May 29 along Highway 11 in Roseau County. Authorities said Dokken’s vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and crashed head-on into a car driven by Barbara Lee Welberg.
Dokken allegedly told police that her dog grabbed the steering wheel while attempting to reach a treat inside the vehicle. She claimed she tried to regain control, but her car struck the highway shoulder, spun out and collided with Welberg’s vehicle.
The impact caused the 82-year-old woman’s vehicle to overturn. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
During the investigation, officers reportedly noticed Dokken slurring her speech. Although she did not test positive for alcohol, authorities said she admitted to taking prescription medications, including Adderall and lorazepam, earlier that day.
Investigators also alleged that Dokken’s partner informed officers she had previously misused her medication by taking it in a manner other than prescribed.
Dokken sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities are awaiting the results of a blood test conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
She is currently being held at the Roseau County Jail on US$200,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on June 10 for a probation violation hearing.
