Lakeville Woman Charged With Criminal Vehicular Homicide in 160th Street Crash

Editor's Note: This story was written by Mike Garlitz of Lakeville Patch.

A 44-year-old Lakeville woman was being held in the Ramsey County women’s jail Friday evening in connection to Thursday night’s crash on the Apple Valley-Lakeville border that killed a 29-year-old Burnsville man.

Bail for Leah Marie Colwell was set at $150,000, according to the Dakota County Jail website. She was charged with felony criminal vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol, gross misdemeanor third-degree driving while impaired, gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation of a driver’s license and a misdemeanor open bottle violation.

Jeffrey Richard Trondson of Burnsville was killed in the crash, according to a death notice that appears on the White Funeral Home website.

Colwell made her first appearance on the charges in Dakota County District Court in Hastings on Friday. Her omnibus hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 20 in Hastings, according to the jail website.

Apple Valley police arrested Colwell at the scene of the vehicle-motorcycle crash at the intersection of 160th Street (County Road 46) and Harwell Avenue shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday.

The Pioneer Press reports Colwell was making a left-hand turn onto northbound Harwell Avenue from eastbound 160th Street when she drove into the path of the motorcyclist.

Trondson died at the scene.