Woodbury teen avoids jail in fatal high-speed neighborhood crash

STILLWATER, Minnesota – A Woodbury teen pleaded guilty Tuesday in a fatal high-speed crash in a residential neighborhood, Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson announced. vehicular homicide and criminal vehicle operation.

An 18-year-old passenger was thrown from the vehicle and three other passengers were injured in the crash on Settler’s Ridge Parkway and Sundance Way.

Kyle Scott Hollister, 18, was then sentenced to probation until he turned 21, the maximum sentence allowed under juvenile status in expanded jurisdiction.

His 69-month adult sentence will be suspended as long as he does not violate probation.

Hollister was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service each year while on probation.

Bumgarner’s parents asked that 35 of those hours be devoted to raising awareness about the dangers of reckless driving. 35 hours was chosen in honor of their son’s hockey number “35.”

Hollister must also complete ten days of work with the county team, comply with the Community Circles restorative justice program, and pay restitution.

Before pleading guilty, Hollister asked the court to find him incompetent to stand trial. However, the motion was denied after three psychologists testified on the matter during a four-hour hearing in May.

“Defendant’s driving behavior was inexcusable,” Magnussen said in a statement.

According to the criminal complaint, on March 13, 2021, Hollister drove through a residential area of ​​Woodbury at a speed of 73 to 80 miles per hour.

Investigators say Hollister intentionally drove into a pothole in the road, causing his 2015 Honda Accord to fly through the air.

The Accord then flew towards a tree, splitting the vehicle in half, according to the criminal complaint.

Investigators said the back seat was completely separate from the trunk. One passenger – 18-year-old Garrett Bumgarner – was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three other teenage passengers were seriously injured in the crash, according to police.

“The Washington County Attorney’s Office is grateful to our law enforcement partners in Woodbury and the Minnesota State Patrol who thoroughly investigated this tragedy. Our thoughts continue to be with the Bumgarner family who lost their son, brother and friend, as well as the other victims and their families His life was changed forever,” Magnussen added on Tuesday.

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