(Spencer)– Clay county authorities say a southwest Minnesota man who was driving a van that collided with and killed a bicyclist last year north of Spencer will face charges.
In a press release issued this (Wed.) afternoon, the Clay County Attorney’s Office says the driver of the van, 21-year-old Cameron Koopman of Brewster, Minnesota is being charged with failure to stop in an assured clear distance, which is subject to penalty enhancement since his operation of the vehicle resulted in a death. The charge is a simple misdemeanor with a maximum of 30 days in jail and a maximum fine of $625. But with the penalty enhancement, Koopman could also lose his driver’s license for 180 days and face an additional $1,000 fine.
The incident took place back on August 18th of last year when deputies were called shortly after 6:00 a.m. to the scene on Highway 71 just north of Spencer. The responding deputy found 58-year-old Mark Anderson of rural Spencer, who had been riding the bike, in the west ditch; and a 2003 Ford van owned by Val Halla Painting of Sioux Falls and the driver, Koopman on the scene.
Anderson was declared dead at the scene.
An investigation determined Anderson was riding his bicycle southbound and that Koopman, who was also southbound, failed to see Anderson, striking him from behind.
Authorities say there was no evidence to determine that Koopman was driving at an excessive speed, and that results of blood tests determined Koopman had no alcohol or illicit drugs in his system.
