Police: Racing vehicles caused double-fatal crash in Burnsville

Burnsville Police Department has confirmed a report from the Office of Traffic Safety that a double-fatal crash is believed to have been caused by two drivers who were racing on Easter Sunday morning. 

Killed in the crash were two occupants of an SUV that were struck by one of the vehicles that were racing. The victims have been identified as 22-year-olds Dalton Ford, of Prescott, and Tayler Garza, of River Falls. 

The Office of Traffic Safety announced Friday in a news release about excessive speeding in Minnesota that the SUV Ford was driving was "hit in the passenger side by one of two racing cars in the east-bound lanes of the divided highway."

Burnsville Police Captain Matt Smith provided the following statement to BMTN: 

"We believe two vehicles were racing eastbound on County Rd 42. Another vehicle which had been headed west made a left turn to go south on Newton Ave and was struck by one of the racing vehicles, killing both people in the turning car." 

According to the Office of Traffic Safety, Ford was not wearing a seatbelt when the SUV he and Garza were in was struck around 10:30 a.m. April 4. Two 17-year-olds were injured in the crash, though specifics about the extent of their injuries were not provided. 

It remains unclear if criminal charges will be filed.

"We do continue to investigate the case," said Smith. "Charges, if applicable, will be determined by the appropriate attorney’s office. It is too early to say what, if any charges there will be at this time."