Driver jailed after crossing centerline in NW. metro, fatally hitting motorist in head-on crash

The motorist who triggered the crash has been convicted twice for drunken driving and once for drinking and driving under age 21.

March 31, 2019 at 11:45AM
Brandon Pedrys
Brandon Pedrys (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A driver with a history of drinking and driving sits in jail accused of a felony after he crossed the center line on an Otsego road and triggered a four-vehicle crash that left another motorist dead, authorities said.

Brandon D. Pedrys, 26, of Elk River, is suspected of criminal vehicular operation in connection with the death Friday of a driver who was struck head-on on County Road 39 near Page Avenue NE., according to the Wright County Sheriff's Office.

Sharon Veiman, 62, of Anoka, died at the scene, the Sheriff's Office said.

In less than eight years, Pedrys has been convicted twice for drunken driving, once for drinking and driving under age 21, twice for underage drinking and once for drug possession.

According to the Sheriff's Office:

Pedrys was heading east on County Road 29 about 8:20 a.m. and struck the passenger-side mirror of a westbound vehicle and then hit Veiman's vehicle head-on. A vehicle trailing Veiman's hit hers from behind.

The only person reported injured was a juvenile in the vehicle that hit Veiman's.

The Sheriff's Office is asking that anyone who saw any of the collisions to call authorities at 763-682-1162.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

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Paul Walsh

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Paul Walsh is a general assignment reporter at the Minnesota Star Tribune. He wants your news tips, especially in and near Minnesota.

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