A 2-year-old boy has died from injuries suffered over the weekend in a Coon Rapids crash that a drunken driver is suspected of causing, the family said.
The pileup occurred about 3:50 p.m. Saturday on Main Street west of NW. Shenandoah Boulevard, according to the Anoka County Sheriff's Office.
"With deep regret we inform that little Gautam Pujari passed away this morning at 8:52 a.m." Wednesday, read the update posted on a GoFundMe page that is collecting money for the Lino Lakes family."
Pedro R. Flores, of Blaine, was arrested on suspicion of being drunk when he caused the crash about 3:50 p.m. Saturday. He was later released.
"Once the investigation is complete," read a statement from the Sheriff's Office, "this case will be forwarded to the Anoka County Attorney's Office for review of formal charges."
A 29-year-old motorist from Champlin, whose pickup truck got caught up in the crash, escaped injury. Mitch Heidmann then exited his car and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the 2-year-old, who was "laid out on the road," until emergency responders arrived, according to the Sheriff's Office and emergency dispatch audio.
Flores' criminal history in Minnesota includes a drunken driving conviction two years ago in Sherburne County as well as speeding in northwestern Minnesota in 2012, going 104 miles per hour in a 70-mph zone.
According to the Sheriff's Office:
