STILLWATER, MN — A Woodbury teen convicted in the vehicular homicide of teenager Garrett Bumgarner was sentenced today, Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson announced. In August, …
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STILLWATER, MN — A Woodbury teen convicted in the vehicular homicide of teenager Garrett Bumgarner was sentenced today, Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson announced.
In August, 18-year-old Kyle Scott Hollister pleaded guilty to one count each of criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular operation following the fatal crash that occurred on March 13, 2021. According to the criminal complaint, Hollister was driving through a residential Woodbury neighborhood at speeds between 73 and 80-miles-per-hour when he intentionally drove over a dip in the road, causing the vehicle to become airborne. The 2015 Honda Accord left the roadway and crashed into a tree, splitting the vehicle in half with the back seat and trunk completely separated. Passenger Garrett Bumgarner, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene. Three other teenage passengers were seriously injured.
Hollister, then 17, was sentenced on both counts today by Judge Gregory Galler under extended jurisdiction juvenile status, which blends an adult prison sentence within juvenile court. Under the terms of the sentence, Hollister’s combined 69-month adult prison sentence is suspended as long as he complies with all aspects of his probation. Hollister will remain on probation until he reaches the age of 21, the maximum sentence allowed under extended jurisdiction juvenile status.
In addition, Hollister was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service for each year of his probation. Thirty-five of those hours are to be dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of reckless driving at the request of the Bumgarner family, honoring their son’s hockey number, “35”. He will also complete ten days on a county work crew, comply with a Community Circles restorative justice program, and pay restitution.
Prior to entering a guilty plea, Hollister filed a motion asking the Court to find him incompetent to assist in his defense. During a fourhour hearing in May, three psychologists testified on the matter and the motion was ultimately denied.
“The defendant’s driving conduct was inexcusable,” said Magnuson. “The Washington County Attorney’s Office is thankful to our law enforcement partners in Woodbury and the Minnesota State Patrol who thoroughly investigated this tragedy. We continue to think of the Bumgarner family who lost a son, brother, and friend to many, as well as the other victims and their families whose lives are forever changed.”
Assistant Washington County Attorney Tricia Loehr prosecuted this case.