March 28, 2025 at 2:07 p.m.
Vehicular homicide charges filed
Felony vehicular homicide charges have been filed in connection with a minivan and passenger car crash Friday, March 14 about 6:18 p.m. on Rush Lake Trail, in Nessel Township. One of five children involved was removed from life support March 20 and passed away.
The 4-year-old, identified as Anthony Sobaski, was hospitalized and on life support for about five days. He was found by first responders, in a child seat in a Chevrolet Cruze behind the driver, who is being charged.
Authorities said he was unresponsive with no detectable pulse. He was initially thought to have suffered traumatic brain injuries. Chest compressions were started at the scene and he was airlifted to Gillette Childrens.
The other child in the Chevrolet, age 3, was found in a rear child seat on the passenger side of the Cruze. They went by ground ambulance to be treated for a broken collarbone.
Cruze driver Ashlee Rose Klapperick, 36, was initially charged with six counts of criminal vehicular operation resulting in bodily harm. The charge related to the fatality was increased to carry a penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a $20,000 fine. The additional three substantial bodily harm charges carry a penalty of three years and $10,000 fine each. The lesser charges carry a penalty of one year and $3,000 fine.
The minivan driver, who was struck head-on by the Cruze as it allegedly crossed the center, was not named in the report. The van was southbound on Rush Lake Trail near Belle Isle. The minivan driver said she tried to avoid the Chevrolet when it crossed into her lane, but they collided anyway. A witness in a car well behind the minivan, concurred with that description, according to the preliminary interviews.
There was a glass pipe allegedly found in the Chevrolet Cruze along with a “tin” containing a substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine. Further analysis will be done on the substance.
Klapperick has had a preliminary hearing (by internet) and is due in court for an evidentiary hearing next week.
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