Driver charged in death of baby run over in tent

Nicolle Prechel told police she smoked marijuana and drank the night before at a campground near Morton.

By VINCE TUSS, Star Tribune

Last update: July 7, 2009 - 10:57 PM

A Willmar, Minn., woman accused of backing over a tent and killing a 4-month-old boy was charged Tuesday with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide.

Nicolle Marie Mercedes Prechel, 31, also was charged with two counts of criminal vehicular operation, two counts of driving while impaired and a count of driving after suspension. She is scheduled to appear in Renville County District Court at 11 a.m. today, County Attorney David Torgelson said.

Killed Sunday morning was 4-month-old Wyatt Sander, who was in the tent with his mother, Sheena Hinshaw. The boy's father, Jacob Sander, witnessed the scene at Beaver Falls Campground near Morton, Minn., as they were dragged 14 feet, the charges said.

According to the criminal complaint, Prechel, her 7-year-old daughter, Sander, Hinshaw and Wyatt were part of a group at the campground. On Saturday night, Prechel smoked marijuana and drank "the majority" of a 1-liter bottle of Southern Comfort, the complaint said. She and her daughter went to sleep in a van, which was next to the tent.

About 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Prechel drove her daughter to a bathroom. When they returned, Prechel tried to back in and drove over the tent and didn't stop until the van hit a pole, the complaint said.

Sander drove Hinshaw and Wyatt to Redwood Area Hospital in Redwood Falls, where the boy was pronounced dead.

Prechel also drove to the hospital, where a deputy asked about events at the campground. She told him what happened, concluding with, "Oh, my God, I killed my cousin," according to the complaint.

The deputy asked Prechel whether she had been drinking, and, according to the complaint, she said she had the night before. A breath test indicated a blood-alcohol content of 0.17 percent, which is more than twice the legal limit for an adult driver, the complaint said. She was arrested.

In a later interview with authorities, Prechel said she did not have a valid driver's license, the complaint said. A check of records indicated Prechel's license had been suspended since May 19, 2004.

Vince Tuss • 612-673-7692

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