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An incident in the area of Lakeside Memorial Park in Forest Lake last July, where a 17-year-old girl from Stacy died at the scene — has ended in a conviction of Dylan Simmons, 21, of North Branch.  He was prosecuted on charges of operating the car that struck the victim.  

The victim and offender knew each other, according to information released by authorities.  EMS were unable to revive her at the scene and a medical examiner ruled the death consistent with traumatic head injury due to a vehicle-pedestrian collision.

Video evidence and a Washington County tip line established early in the investigation aided in putting the case together.

Jurors found Dylan Robert Simmons, guilty of one count of second degree unintentional murder, one count of criminal vehicular operation and three counts of second degree assault with a dangerous weapon (car.) Sentencing will be in  March 2025.  

The trial was held in Stillwater Washington County District Court,  from December 11 to when the jury announced a verdict December 18.  Proceedings involved testimony from various responders, including a member of law enforcement who convinced Simmons over the phone to return to the scene of the incident.  A bystander at the scene got a call from a passenger in Simmons’ Mazda 3 as investigators arrived. When Simmons agreed to come back to the parking lot he was arrested.

The victim Darisha Bailey Vath, reportedly attended Forest Lake High School.

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