Little Falls Teen Gets Probation In Fatal Texting Crash

ST. CLOUD (AP) — A Little Falls teenager will have to deliver speeches about distracted driving as part of her sentence for slamming into a minivan and killing a father and his 10-year-old daughter last July.

The 17-year-old girl was sentenced to probation Friday in Sherburne County. She was accused of texting right before she ran a red light and crashed into the van carrying 54-year-old Charles Maurer of Becker and his 10-year-old daughter, Cassy.

The teen pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal vehicular homicide. Prosecutors say she ignored her friend's plea to stop texting and driving.

The teen will be on probation until she is 21. She also has to complete 240 hours of community service.

The girl initially told authorities her boyfriend was driving the truck.