A tragic accident occurred in Minnesota when an 18-year-old driver, Izak Schermerhorn, lost control of his pickup truck while showing off a noise modification on its exhaust system. The incident resulted in the death of his classmate and passenger, 18-year-old Blake Unger. Schermerhorn was charged with three counts of criminal vehicular homicide on Thursday.
The crash happened on Tuesday when Schermerhorn, who had been drinking to celebrate his recent high school graduation, was driving recklessly on a gravel road. According to the criminal complaint, Schermerhorn had been “fishtailing” the vehicle before it rolled over, ejecting Unger from the truck. Unger was pinned beneath the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
Schermerhorn told deputies that he had intentionally been sliding around the road before losing control of the vehicle. A breathalyzer test revealed that his blood alcohol level was 0.103%, above the legal limit for adult drivers. For drivers under 21, any amount of alcohol in their system is illegal.
Both Schermerhorn and Unger had graduated from New York Mills High School just days before the incident. Unger was known as a multi-sport athlete and was crowned homecoming king.
Schermerhorn was released on a $1,000 cash bond after being arraigned on Thursday. His release was conditional on him seeking counseling, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, and staying out of further trouble.
Charges and Investigation
Schermerhorn faces serious charges following the fatal crash. The investigation revealed that his reckless driving and intoxication were key factors in the accident. The community is mourning the loss of Unger, remembering him for his achievements and character.
