JACKSON -- Months after 23-year-old Heron Lake man Michael Unger was killed in a rollover crash, the Brewster woman who was driving the truck is facing charges of vehicular homicide.
Lacey Marie White, 23, is charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and one count each of careless driving and no Minnesota driver's license.
The complaint states Heron Lake Police were dispatched to a one-vehicle rollover shortly after 1 a.m. Oct. 7, 2007, near the fertilizer plant in Heron Lake. When officers arrived, they found a white Chevrolet pickup severely damaged.
A female, later identified as White, was behind the driver's steering wheel and wearing her seatbelt, complaining of neck and leg injuries. Authorities could smell a strong odor of alcohol on her body and breath.
When medical personnel arrived, White indicated she had not been alone in the truck -- a male had been with her. White was uncooperative as medical personnel tried to render aid. She kept asking for Mark. When asked if Mark had been in the truck, she stated no.
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A volunteer firefighter brought a fire truck to the scene for more light. The police chief ran the truck's license plate, which came back to Unger. Authorities and the fire and rescue crew fanned out to walk the ditches, and Unger's body was found.
It appeared the truck had been northbound on Second Avenue when White had lost control coming into a curve. The truck traveled into the opposite ditch, where it rolled, causing Unger to be ejected.
A 12-pack carton of beer was found near the body. Measurements showed the body was about 90 feet from the back of the pickup.
White was taken to Worthington Regional Hospital, where she acted incoherent, screaming and hollering. At one point, she mentioned there was a baby with her. Medical personnel were able to get a contact number from her and give it to a deputy, who called White's boyfriend. The boyfriend said the child was with him.
He told authorities he had spoken to Unger earlier in the evening and was told White's keys had been taken away as she was too intoxicated to drive. Unger reportedly told the boyfriend he would make sure White got a ride back to Brewster, or she could stay at his house.
A blood draw was taken from White at 3:43 a.m. and came back showing a blood alcohol content of .19.
If convicted on all counts, White faces a maximum combined penalty of 30 years and 180 days incarceration and/or fines of up to $62,000.
