Man Drove Away After 1,100-Pound Boulder Killed Women: Charges

ROSEMOUNT, MN — A commercial truck driver has been charged in the death of two women after a 1,100-pound boulder fell off his truck and hit their car, said Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom. Joseph Paul Czeck, 33, of Hastings was charged Friday with four counts of criminal vehicular homicide in connection with the incident on July 9 in Rosemount.

Police say the boulder fell off the back of the commercial truck Czeck was driving and struck another vehicle, a Toyota Avalon. The incident happened on Rich Valley Boulevard near 125th Street.

The wreck killed Karen Christiansen, 67, and her 32-year-old daughter, Jena Christiansen. Both were residents of Shoreview.

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Czeck continued to drive away and did not return to the scene, according to authorities.

Rosemount detectives identified Czeck Services as the company that owned the commercial vehicle involved in the crash. Investigators said Czeck is the owner of the company and was driving the vehicle near the time and location of the incident.

Czeck was arrested in Inver Grove Heights on July 11.

"This was a senseless and avoidable tragedy that claimed two lives," Backstrom said in a statement. "Anyone involved in a vehicle crash must remain at the scene and contact law enforcement. Failure to do so could result in a felony."

Read the entire criminal complaint below:

Image via Dakota County Jail