Man Sentenced for Lakeville Crash, Apple Valley Home Invasion

A Rosemount man involved in a fatal crash in Lakeville and a home invasion in Apple Valley has been sentenced to prison.

Kasprzyk pled guilty to each count of criminal vehicular homicide and burglary against him in connection with a fatal crash and the aftermath that took place in Lakeville and Apple Valley on April 1, which killed Osah Phetsarath, 45, of Lakeville.

On April 1, Lakeville police responded to a report of a driver, later identified as Eric Kasprzyk, in a BMW traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of 160th Street at a high rate of speed. Kasprzyk then ran a red light, causing a multiple vehicle crash, including striking a Toyota Camry and killing the driver, Phetsarath.

Police say Kasprzyk fled the scene, shedding his clothes as he ran toward an Apple Valley residential area. He entered an occupied home where he initially went into a hallway closet and shut the door. One of the occupants attempted to barricade the closet door, but Kasprzyk was able to push his way out of the closet.

After exiting the closet, Kasprzyk locked all exterior doors. The occupants of the home called police. When police arrived, Kasprzyk attempted to physically restrain one of the house occupants from unlocking the front door to allow police in, but officers were able to enter and took Kasprzyk into custody.

In a statement, Backstrom said "We are pleased to have brought this man to justice for this senseless death on our roads."

Backstrom extended his sympathy to the family and friends of Phetsarath for their loss. Backstrom thanked the Lakeville Police Department, Apple Valley Police Department and Minnesota State Patrol for their investigation in the case.

Residents with questions should contact James Backstrom at (651) 438-4438.

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