WCCO EYE4 LOGO WCCO Radio

Latest News

Guilty Plea In Fatal Crash From Driver Distracted By Sex

View Comments
(credit: CBS)

(credit: CBS)

Today's Most Popular Video
Georgia Is Our Pet Guest Of The Week! Gov. Dayton Addresses Peter Hobart Students Morgan Freeman Snoozes During Press Interviews Viewers` Choice: Best Playground Prince Drops Ticket Prices To Myth Shows

MANKATO, Minn. (WCCO/AP) – Prosecutors in southern Minnesota are recommending four years in prison for a man who has pleaded guilty to charges in a car crash that killed two women, including one who witnesses say he was having sex with while driving.

Mark Anders Chalin, 24, of St. James, was driving a Chevy Cobalt eastbound on County Road 90 when it crashed head-on with an Oldsmobile Alero heading westbound, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

The driver of the Oldsmobile, 35-year-old Jonna Martin of Lakefield, and a passenger in the Chevy, 23-year-old Amber Menezes, of Mankato, where both killed in the crash.

Chalin claimed he didn’t remember anything about what led to the crash. Witnesses told investigators Menezes was straddling Chalin while he was driving on County Road 90, blocking his view of the road.

Chalin’s car slammed head-on into Martin’s vehicle. Investigators say reconstruction of the scene shows Chalin’s car was going about 60 to 65 mph and crossed in front of the Oldsmobile, that was traveling about 20 mph. The investigation also shows Chalin’s vehicle made no attempt to stop.

Chalin pleaded guilty to criminal vehicular homicide via an Alford plea, which denies any wrongdoing but acknowledges the prosecution could likely prove guilt.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View Comments
blog comments powered by Disqus
Listen Live!

Mobile Weather Watcher

Follow CBS Minnesota

Like us on foursquare
wccoradio podcastbanner3 WCCO Radio

Meet WCCO-TV’s Anchors

Amelia Santaniello Frank Vascellaro Chris Shaffer Mark Rosen

TV Schedule

Full Program Grid
7:00 PM The Mentalist
8:00 PM 48 Hours
9:00 PM 48 Hours
10:00 PM WCCO 4 News at Ten
10:35 PM Storm Stories
11:05 PM Life to the Max
11:35 PM CSI: Miami