Texting, Lies, Now Charges in Crash That Killed Maurer Dad, Daughter

Multiple charges have now been filed in the July crash that took the life of a Becker man and his daughter.

Charles P. Maurer, 54, and his daughter, Cassy, were killed as a result of a vicious accident on U.S. Highway 10 at the Sherburne County 11 intersection, one that authorities now attribute to a girl who was allegedly texting while driving.

According to media reports and charges filed in Minnesota courts, Carlee R. Bollig, Little Falls, was charged last week with multiple felony counts, including criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular operation, texting while driving and driving without a valid license.

Bollig told authorities she was not driving the night of July 21, but her story, corroborated by one of the other passengers in the pickup truck that collided with the Maurer family van, fell apart as investigators questioned passengers and examined phone records.

Caysi J. Jaronske, 17, told authorities Bollig was, in fact, driving, while Deven Garlock sat in the back seat. That was contrary to reports given at the scene of the accident, when State Patrol officers were told Garlock, the only licensed driver in the vehicle, was driving.

Evidence recovered through DNA and, in fact, a cell phone at the floor of the driver’s side led to the discovery that Bollig, who did not have a license, was, in fact driving. And, further investigation showed, Bollig sent several texts minutes before the crash occurred, showing she was not paying full attention to the road, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Jaronske, in a lengthy interview with investigators, according to documents, told Bollig several times to stop texting. And as the pickup was entering the intersection, someone yelled “Red light! Red light!”

However, it was too late.

Records show that Bollig was also on social media for up to eight minutes prior to the crash. A search of the pickup also revealed a bag of Bollig’s that held a small amount of synthetic marijuana and drug paraphernalia, court documents state.

All eight people involved in the accident – the two drivers and six passengers, were transported to local hospitals. Charles Maurer was air lifted to North Memorial, where he was pronounced dead. His daughter, Cassy, 10, was also airlifted by North Memorial Air Care. She died 10 days later. Two other passengers in the van – Alenita Maurer, 15, and Alora Nelson, 15, were taken to local hospitals with injuries that were not considered to be life threatening.