A Minnesota driver charged in a fatal head-on collision that claimed the life of an elderly woman has reportedly blamed her dog for the accident, according to court documents.
Incident Details
Shauna Rae Dokken, 43, of Roseau, Minnesota, faces charges of criminal vehicular homicide for allegedly operating her vehicle in a grossly negligent manner. The crash occurred on May 29, killing Barbara Lee Welberg, 82. Dokken was driving a Ford F-250 pickup truck on Highway 11 in Roseau County when she crossed into oncoming traffic and struck Welberg’s Kia Sorento head-on. Welberg was pronounced dead at the scene after her SUV overturned. Dokken sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized.
Conflicting Accounts
According to court documents obtained by KVLY, Dokken provided multiple and sometimes contradictory explanations for the crash. At one point, she allegedly told authorities that her dog distracted her and grabbed the steering wheel, causing her to lose control. Police received several reports of Dokken driving erratically before the crash. One witness called 911 and attempted to follow her truck to obtain the license plate after observing her cross fully into oncoming traffic.
Substance Use and Prior Record
Responding officers noted that Dokken appeared to have slurred speech at the crash scene and during questioning. A preliminary breath test showed a blood alcohol level of 0.000, but she admitted to taking prescription medications earlier that day, including Buspar, Lorazepam, and Adderall. A blood sample was collected and sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for analysis. Buspar and Lorazepam are used to treat anxiety, while Adderall is commonly prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy, according to GoodRx.
Dokken’s significant other told investigators that she has a history of misusing her prescription medication, including allegedly snorting them instead of taking them as directed. Court records indicate that Dokken was already on probation for a prior DWI conviction at the time of the crash. She remains in custody at the Roseau County Jail on $200,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on June 10 for a probation violation hearing. The criminal case remains under investigation.
Potential Penalties
If convicted, Dokken could face up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. The Independent has contacted the Minnesota State Patrol for comment.
