The Farmington Police Department has announced the arrests of four individuals in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred on the evening of Tuesday, July 14th.
Wednesday evening, 30-year-old Cheyenne Maingan Marie Zempel was booked into the Dakota County Jail after being charged with Criminal Vehicular Homicide and Failing to Stop at the Scene of a Traffic Accident Resulting in Death, both felony charges.
Other individuals charged included 64-year-old Meri Susan Forster for Aiding an Offender to Avoid Arrest, 28-year-old Stevie Linea Ikwe Aki Zempel for Aiding an Offender to Avoid Arrest, and 36-year-old Kale Devlin Roy for Aiding an Offender to Avoid Arrest, all felony charges.
The hit-and-run happened at 9:44 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, as two juvenile boys were crossing Minnesota Highway 50 at Dushane Parkway, near McDonald’s.
One of the boys, identified as 13-year-old Sasha Balandin from Apple Valley, was riding a bicycle and struck and killed by a westbound vehicle. The driver did not stop and fled the scene.
Investigators have also recovered the vehicle involved in this incident. As evidence continues to be processed, additional individuals may be arrested.
The Farmington Police Department extends its gratitude to the businesses, witnesses, and community members who provided crucial information.
Public cooperation was instrumental in advancing this case to its current point. Additionally, the department would like to thank our law enforcement partners who assisted in this investigation: the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota State Patrol, Bloomington Police Department, Dakota County Drug Task Force, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, Lakeville Police Department, Eagan Police Department, and Rosemount Police Department.
Finally, the Farmington Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased juvenile during this difficult time.
The Dakota County Attorney’s Office will review the case to determine formal criminal charges. As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.