Izak Schermerhorn. (OTCDF)
New York Mills, MN – Otter Tail County Deputies say a New York Mills graduate charged with the death of his passenger after a fatal rollover admitted to drinking and purposefully driving recklessly.
18-year-old Izak Schermerhorn was arrested late Tuesday night for the death of 18-year-old Blake Unger of New York Mills.
Court documents say that deputies were called to a report of a rollover crash in Bluffton Township about 10:45 p.m. May 27th. When they arrived, deputies met with emergency responders, who said that an individual, later identified as Unger, was pinned under the vehicle and was already dead.
Deputies spoke with Schermerhorn, who said he was the owner and driver of the crashed pickup. Deputies say Schermerhorn showed signs of intoxication and admitted to drinking a few alcoholic beverages that night. Deputies administered a breathalyzer test and registered Schermerhorn’s blood alcohol content as .013. He was arrested and taken to the Otter Tail County Detention Facility.
While in custody, court documents say Schermerhorn told investigators that he had picked up Unger and was just planning on driving around before bringing him home. Schermerhorn said that he wanted to show off the sound of his exhaust because he had modified his catalytic converter. He said he was intentionally sliding around the road when he lost control and the pickup went into the ditch and rolled. Schermerhorn also told investigators that for the past year, he had abstained from alcohol, but decided to celebrate after graduating.
Schermerhorn has been charged with three counts of Criminal Vehicular Homicide, one for driving in a negligent manner, one for driving under the influence, and one for driving negligently while under the influence.
A GoFundMe has been started for Unger’s family to help cover funeral costs, and the goal of $20,000 has already been met.
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