A Minnesota driver charged in a fatal head-on crash that killed an elderly woman reportedly told investigators that her dog is to blame for the accident.
Shauna Rae Dokken, 43, has been charged with criminal vehicular homicide for allegedly operating a vehicle in a grossly negligent manner, after a May 29 crash that killed Barbara Lee Welberg, 82, according to Minnesota State Patrol records.
Dokken was driving a Ford F-259 pickup truck on Highway 11 in Roseau County when she veered into the opposite lane and collided head-on with Welberg’s Kia Sorento, according to court documents obtained by KVLY. Welberg was pronounced dead at the scene after her SUV overturned in the impact. Dokken was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Dokken provided multiple and sometimes conflicting accounts of what led to the crash, according to the documents. At one point, she allegedly told authorities that her dog distracted her and grabbed the steering wheel, causing her to lose control of the truck.
Police said they received multiple reports that Dokken was driving erratically before the crash, the docs claim. One witness even called 911 and attempted to follow her truck to get the license plate after seeing her allegedly cross fully into oncoming traffic.
open image in galleryResponding officers said Dokken appeared to have slurred speech both at the crash scene and during questioning. A preliminary breath test showed a blood alcohol level of 0.000, but she reportedly admitted to taking prescription medications earlier in the day, including Buspar, Lorazepam and Adderall. A blood sample was collected and sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for further analysis.
Buspar and lorazepam are used to treat anxiety, while Adderall is often used for ADHD and narcolepsy, according to GoodRx. Dokken’s significant other told investigators, according to the complaint, that she has a history of misusing her prescription medication, including allegedly snorting them instead of taking them as prescribed.
Court records show Dokken was already on probation for a prior DWI conviction at the time of the crash, KVLY reports. She remains in custody at the Roseau County Jail on $200,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on June 10 for a probation violation hearing. The criminal case remains under investigation.
If convicted in the crash, Dokken could face up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
The Independent has conatcted the Minnesota State Patrol for comment.