First Responder Accused Of Stealing From Otter Tail County Crash Victim

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 42-year-old woman who is a first responder is accused of stealing money from a crash victim in an accident that killed two people back in June in Otter Tail County, according to charges filed Monday.

Tara Kimberly Lindquist of Dalton has been charged with one misdemeanor count of theft in connection with the case. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is conducting the investigation at the request of the Minnesota State Patrol since local law enforcement were among the agencies to respond to the crash.

According to a criminal complaint, Lindquist was among the first emergency responders to arrive at the scene of the June 23 crash on Interstate 94 in Otter Tail County. In the days after the crash, a family member of one of the crash victims told authorities that an undetermined amount of money was missing from the victims' wallets.

The complaint states Lindquist told officials with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension that she took money from a billfold at the scene. She said she took about $120 and used the money to pay for her Otter Tail Power bill.

She is a member of the Dalton Fire and Rescue team.

The crashed killed 18-year-old Zachary Kvalvog and 14-year-old Connor Kvalvog, both of Moorhead.Two others were injured in the crash. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.