Woodbury Teen Avoids Jail In Deadly High-Speed Neighborhood Crash

STILLWATER, MN — A Woodbury teen pleaded guilty Tuesday to vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular operation in a fatal high-speed crash in a residential neighborhood, announced Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson.

The crash at Settler's Ridge Parkway and Sundance Way killed one 18-year-old passenger who was ejected from the car and injured three other teen passengers.

Kyle Scott Hollister, 18, was subsequently sentenced to probation until he reaches the age of 21, which is the maximum sentence allowed under extended jurisdiction juvenile status.

His 69-month adult prison sentence is suspended as long he does not violate his probation.

Hollister was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service for each year of his probation.

Bumgarner’s parents requested that thirty-five of those hours be used to raise awareness about the dangers of reckless driving. Thirty-five hours was chosen to honor their son’s hockey number, "35."

Hollister must also complete ten days on a county work crew, comply with a Community Circles restorative justice program, and pay restitution.

Before pleading guilty, Hollister asked the court to find him incompetent to stand trial. However, after a four-hour hearing in May during which three psychologists testified on the matter, the motion was denied.

"The defendant’s driving conduct was inexcusable," said Magnuson in a statement.

On March 13, 2021, Hollister was driving through a residential Woodbury neighborhood at speeds between 73 and 80-miles-per-hour, according to the criminal complaint.

Hollister intentionally drove over a dip in the road, causing his 2015 Honda Accord to become airborne, investigators said.

The Accord then flew into a tree, splitting the vehicle in half, according to the criminal complaint.

The back seat and trunk completely separated, investigators said. A passenger — 18-year-old Garrett Bumgarner — was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three other teenage passengers were seriously injured in the crash, according to police.

"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," Magnuson added Tuesday.