A pickup truck driver suspected to be under the influence of alcohol remained jailed Sunday after he crashed into the back of an Amish buggy in northwestern Minnesota and killed a woman and injured her brother, authorities said.
The collision occurred about 7:35 p.m. Saturday on Hwy. 92 in the Clearwater County community of Leon Township, according to the State Patrol.
Elsie Yoder, 23, of nearby Clearbrook, was hospitalized Saturday night in Fargo and later died, the patrol said Sunday.
Driving the horse-drawn buggy was her brother, 27-year-old Mervin Yoder, also from Clearbrook. He was treated for less serious injuries at a hospital in nearby Bagley, the patrol said.
Christopher K. Baumann, 27, of Nevis, Minn., was heading south when he hit the buggy from behind, the patrol said. Baumann, whom authorities suspect was drinking before the crash, remained jailed Sunday pending charges.
"The driver was impaired by alcohol," said Patrol Lt. Tiffani Nielson.
Nielson said Baumann was being held on suspicion of criminal vehicular operation, a felony. An upgraded charge of criminal vehicular homicide against him could be filed by the county attorney's office early this week.
A representative from Clearwater County dispatch wouldn't comment on details of the crash, including whether the buggy was equipped with the reflective orange safety triangle required by state law for vehicles moving at less than 30 miles per hour.
