Vanessa Brigan Charged in Cromwell Double-Fatal Crash
Posted at: 10/03/2012 12:00 PM
| Updated at: 10/03/2012 9:09 PM
Prosecutors have formally filed two criminal vehicular homicide charges against a driver involved in a double-fatal car crash Monday in Carlton County.
Vanessa Brigan, 26, of Cloquet is charged with two felony counts of criminal vehicular homicide. A judge set her bail at $80,000 during a Wednesday arraignment.
According to a criminal complaint, Brigan and her passenger, 25-year-old Jesse David McMillen frequent a methadone clinic in Brainerd three times a week. The complaint also said they both picked up methadone dosages and were on their way back from that clinic the morning of the crash.
The Minnesota State Patrol said their sedan crossed the center line on Highway 210 near Cromwell around 8:45 a.m. Monday morning, and hit a Carlton County highway work truck, which then collided with a trailer, killing Mitch Lingren and Zak Gamache.
The complaint said Brigan remained at the crash scene, while McMillen allegedly told troopers he saw the two bodies, ingested his dosage of methadone and fled on foot, because he did not want to be apprehended for active warrants.
The complaint said law enforcement found a syringe and used needle in Brigan's vehicle. A bottle of methadone prescribed to her hours before the crash, along with another needle and syringe were also found at the scene.
The complaint goes on to say that a drug recognition expert noted indicators of a controlled substance impairment in Brigan. Fresh needle track marks were also found on her arms.
Brigan has an extensive record including 11 violations for driving without insurance, and 14 violations for driving after revocation.
Following Wednesday's hearing, Brigan's mother said the family's hearts go out to the victims' families. Brigan has three children who are now staying with their aunt.
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