A driver charged with fatally striking a teenager in North Dakota allegedly advised investigators he purposely hit the teen with his SUV after they’d a political argument, in accordance with courtroom paperwork.
Cayler Ellingson, 18, was struck and killed following a road dance in McHenry early Sunday. The driver accused of striking Ellingson in an alley, Shannon Brandt, 41, is charged in Foster County with vehicular murder and leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in demise.
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Jail records from Stutsman County, the place Brandt was being held, present he posted $50,000 bond Tuesday and was launched. His legal professional didn’t instantly return a name for remark.
Brandt advised investigators he left the scene after striking Ellingson, returned briefly, referred to as 911 after which left once more, in accordance with a possible trigger affidavit.
The courtroom doc mentioned Brandt advised investigators he had been ingesting alcohol earlier than striking Ellingson and thought the teen was calling folks to do him hurt after they argued and that he felt threatened. Ellingson was rushed to a hospital in Carrington, the place he was pronounced lifeless.
Investigators arrested Brandt at his residence in Glenfield later Sunday. Officials mentioned he consented to a chemical breath take a look at which confirmed his blood alcohol content material was above 0.08%, the authorized restrict to drive.
Capt. Bryan Niewind of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, which helped examine the demise, mentioned the political argument declare by Brandt has not been substantiated as a result of the investigation continues to be ongoing and extra witnesses should be interviewed. The particular particulars of the alleged argument weren’t launched.
Ellingson’s mother and father later advised police they knew Brandt, however they didn’t consider their son did, the affidavit mentioned. Ellingson’s mom described how she was on her option to choose up her son from McHenry when he referred to as her about 2:40 a.m. and requested if she knew Brandt. Ellingson referred to as once more a quick time later and mentioned “that ‘he’ or ‘they’ were chasing him.” She may not attain him after that, the doc mentioned.
According to an preliminary news release from the North Dakota Highway Patrol, a Ford Explorer struck a pedestrian who “sustained serious injuries” and later died.
A GoFundMe for Ellingson had raised over $27,000 as of Thursday morning.
The web page says Ellingson “went to heaven and will be missed by his Mom, Dad, Brother, Uncles, Aunts, cousins many Family and Friends.”
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