Man Pleads Guilty In Crash That Killed Rosemount Girl

BURNSVILLE, MN — A 21-year-old Farmington man has admitted to using drugs before crashing his vehicle, which killed a 16-year-old girl and injured a 15-year-old girl, both passengers in the car.

Both girls were from Rosemount.

Alejandro J. Saavedra pled guilty Tuesday to criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular operation in the crash that happened in Burnsville on April 9.

Saavedra is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 24. Saavedra is being held in Dakota County Jail held without bail.

"I am pleased Mr. Saavedra has taken responsibility for his actions in causing this senseless, deadly crash," Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena said in a statement. "Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Sydney Kohner for their incredible loss. We wish the 15-year-old who was injured in this crash, a full recovery."

On April 9 just after 6 a.m., Burnsville police responded to a hotel on a noise complaint. While driving through the parking lot of the hotel, an officer saw a man and two girls running through the parking lot but then lost sight of them, according to the criminal complaint.

The officer then watched as a white Lexus spet out of the hotel parking lot "at a high rate of speed," investigators said. The Lexus ultimately crashed into the concrete pillar of the United States Postal Service parking ramp off of Grand Avenue in Burnsville, police said.

The crash crumpled the engine compartment and engine block, according to investigators. Alejandro Saavedra was pinned in the driver’s seat but was conscious and alert, the criminal complaint states.

A 15-year-old passenger was transported to the Hennepin County Medical Center by ambulance with serious injuries. Sydney Nicole Kohne, 16, died at the scene.