On September 4, Connor Louis Keene, 24 of Canton, appeared before District Court Judge Jeffrey Kritzer. Keene is charged with four felonies. He is charged with four counts of Criminal Vehicular Homicide: Operate Vehicle with Negligence – Under Influence of Alcohol, Operate Motor Vehicle with Alcohol Concentration 0.08 or More, Alcohol Concentration 0.08 or More Within Two Hours of Driving, and Driver Who Causes Collision Leaves Scene. All four carry maximum criminal penalties of 10 years in prison, $20,000 fines, or both. On or about August 31, within Fillmore County, an Amish buggy carrying three individuals was sideswiped. The offending driver fled the scene. Law enforcement shortly thereafter discovered the offending (significantly damaged) vehicle and the defendant in a field nearby. The defendant’s blood alcohol level was allegedly tested at .184. One of the Amish involved in the accident perished.
On August 31, James Alan Schmidt, 51 of Wykoff, appeared before District Court Judge Matthew J. Opat. Schmidt is charged with Domestic Assault by Strangulation, a felony with a maximum criminal penalty of three years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both. On or about August 30, within Fillmore County, the defendant allegedly assault a family member by strangulation.