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A hearing scheduled related to the case of a Nessel Township crash that killed a 4-year-old boy was called off this month.  The trial date is now set for August 25 for Ashlee Klapperick, 36, of Mora.  

Authorities say Klapperick was driving a Chevrolet Cruz  on Rush Lake Trail about 6:18 p.m. March 14 and it crossed the centerline striking a Pacifica van.  

The defendant had two children buckled in car seats who were seriously hurt.  The boy died six days later after being airlifted to Children’s Hospital. The second child, who was three years old, suffered a broken collarbone. Klapperick, after  receiving medical attention, was charged with criminal vehicular homicide and has been held in Chisago County jail.

According to the preliminary investigation, Klapperick’s car crossed the centerline of the two lane rural road and witnesses observed the Pacifica van maneuver trying to avoid a collision.  A female and three children in this van suffered “moderate injuries,” according to the responding deputy report.

Responding deputies searched the Cruz and they found a glass pipe with residue and a tin that contained what was suspected to be methamphetamine which a field test affirmed.  Klapperick told authorities she’d used meth two days before.  The sheriff’s Drug Recognition Evaluator observed in the report that her eyes were watery, droopy and the defendant had a difficult time keeping eyes open.  Blood evidence was gathered at the hospital.

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