Chisago County Attorney's Office upgrades charges against driver in crash that resulted in death of 4-year-old boy

The Chisago County Attorney’s Office has upgraded the charges against a 36-year-old Mora woman after a March 14 crash resulted in the death of a 4-year-old boy.

Ashlee Klapperick now faces one count of criminal vehicular homicide, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, along with five counts of criminal vehicular operation.

According to the Chisago County Sheriff’s Office, a Chevy Cruze driven by Klapperick crossed over the center line of Rush Lake Trail in Nessel Township, striking a Chrysler Pacifica head-on.

A press release from the Chisago County Attorney's Office states that law enforcement

suspects impairment due to controlled substances was a factor in the crash.

Toxicology reports are pending.

One of Klapperick’s passengers, a four-year-old boy, died on March 20 after suffering a brain injury.

The second passenger, a three-year-old, has been released from the hospital and is in protective care.

The four occupants of the Chrysler, a female driver and three juvenile passengers, were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Klapperick will make her next court appearance on April 4.