A 17-year-old Shakopee girl who was checking a text message when she crashed into another vehicle pleaded guilty Tuesday to criminal vehicular operation, the Dakota County Attorney's office said.
The girl, whose name has not been released because of her age, turned into the path of the other vehicle at Diffley and Nicols Roads in Eagan on July 17. A 15-month-old boy suffered a serious head injury. The toddler's mother, who was driving, and a friend of the mother who was in the passenger seat also were injured.
Dakota County District Judge Joseph Carter accepted the girl's plea in Juvenile Court and transferred the case to Scott County for sentencing.
County Attorney James Backstrom said, "I am pleased that this young woman accepted responsibility for her action, which resulted in serious injuries to a young child. We hope the young victim fully recovers from his traumatic brain injury."
Pat Pheifer
