Driver Involved in Monday Morning Fatal Crash Arrested

(KNSI) — The driver involved in a fatal crash Monday morning is now in the Stearns County jail.

Chad Seitz was wanted in two counties and is facing additional charges.

The Minnesota State Patrol says just after 6:45, 41-year-old Cassie Mithaugen of Belgrade was going west on Highway 55 near mile marker 90 in Crow Lake Township when she was hit head on by Seitz, who was driving east on 55. Court records show he was driving on an expired license.

Mithaugen died at the scene. A three-year-old girl in Mithaugen’s car was rushed to Glacial Ridge Hospital before being transferred to Children’s Hospital for treatment.

According to court documents, Seitz was charged in September of 2021 after he was stopped in Avon for an equipment violation and subsequently arrested for allegedly having marijuana and around 30 grams of methamphetamine in the car. A child was also in the vehicle at the time. The 52-year-old Seitz was charged with felony drug possession and released on bond.

After missing a court date in April of 2022, a warrant was issued for his arrest. Jail records show he was booked Monday morning at 8:20 a.m. after being arrested by the Minnesota State Patrol, and the warrant has been recalled.

A warrant was also out for his arrest for a felony drug charge in Hennepin County.

Seitz is being held pending formal charges of criminal vehicular operation resulting in death, criminal vehicular operation causing great bodily harm, and fourth degree DWI, in addition to charges of driving on an expired license.

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