A Minnesota mother has been charged with multiple felonies after authorities allege she allowed her 15-year-old daughter to drive her minivan without a permit or any driving experience, leading to a crash that killed a woman on a sidewalk in Wright County.
Background
Charlotte Breton, 36, of Cologne, Minnesota, allegedly permitted her daughter to get behind the wheel of the family's Chrysler Town and Country minivan just one day after the teen turned 15. According to a criminal complaint obtained by Law&Crime, Breton admitted during police interviews that she told her daughter to drive the vehicle on May 3.
"The defendant said this is the first time her daughter had driven a vehicle," the complaint states. "The defendant said her daughter did not have a driver's permit. The defendant said her daughter had taken the classroom component of behind the wheel training but had not tested for her permit."
Breton was riding in the passenger seat when her daughter attempted to navigate an intersection near Rockford, Minnesota. The teen allegedly took a turn "too wide" and tried to avoid another vehicle approaching a stop sign on an intersecting street.
"The defendant said her daughter tried to turn the wheel to avoid another vehicle in the intersection but continued into the sidewalk... striking both victims," according to the complaint. Breton told police she believes her daughter accelerated too hard, causing her to lose control of the minivan.
The Charges
Breton faces charges of aiding and abetting two counts of gross negligence felonies, criminal vehicular homicide, and criminal vehicular operation in connection with the crash that killed 55-year-old Laura Bachinski. Her wife, 56-year-old Renee DeLong, sustained significant injuries and was hospitalized.
"It is very rare for passengers to be held responsible for a driver's actions," Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes told Law&Crime. "The circumstances of this case are unique. The decisions that were made... support the serious charge."
According to police interviews with DeLong, both victims were walking on the sidewalk when they looked up and saw the minivan coming directly toward them. DeLong told investigators the driver did not appear to brake or turn before impact.
"[DeLong] said she may have heard the engine rev," according to the complaint. "[Bachinski] was under the van" when it came to a stop, DeLong reportedly told police. Resuscitation efforts proved unsuccessful, and Bachinski was pronounced dead at the scene after being pulled from underneath the vehicle.
Key Takeaways
- Breton allegedly allowed her 15-year-old daughter to drive approximately 5 miles before entering Rockford without any permit or driving experience
- The teen had only completed classroom driver's education but never tested for a learner's permit
- Breton's daughter admitted during police interviews that she may have pressed the accelerator instead of the brake when on the sidewalk
- The crash occurred at an intersection where Elm Street, where they were traveling, has no stop sign while the intersecting street does
- Lutes could not confirm whether the teen driver has been charged due to her age
What's Next
Breton remains charged as the investigation continues. Wright County prosecutors are moving forward with the aiding and abetting charges, which carry significant prison exposure if convicted. Court dates have not yet been scheduled for the case.