A Maple Grove woman who sped into a car carrying three Mounds View High School students in 2016, killing two and badly injuring a third, pleaded guilty Thursday to the crimes in exchange for 10 years' probation instead of prison time.
Rachel Kayl, 33, pleaded guilty in Ramsey County District Court to two counts of criminal vehicular homicide and one count of criminal vehicular operation in the Dec. 1, 2016, crash. Two counts of second-degree manslaughter were dismissed.
Bridget Giere and Stephanie Carlson, both 16, died at the scene. Samantha Redden, then 17, survived with life-threatening injuries. The teenagers were heading to school.
"It's such a tremendous, debilitating feeling," Martin Giere, said of losing his daughter. "I cry every day."
Catherine and Steven Carlson, Stephanie's parents, said they were glad Kayl took responsibility for her actions. Kayl was scheduled to plead guilty Wednesday, but the deal seemed to fall apart and the case was set to go to trial next Monday. She apparently made an about-face, prompting Thursday's hearing.
"It was a long time coming," Steven Carlson said afterward. "I think she finally took ownership of what happened."
"We were all crying," Catherine Carlson said of approximately nine family members and friends in attendance.
Redden was also present, but declined to comment.