NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 17, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Wade Backstrom
218-726-2323 or backstromw@stlouiscountymn.gov
Casey Jerald Daniels Sentenced
Court file #69HI-CR-24-518
Yesterday, in St. Louis County District Court in Hibbing, the Honorable Robert Friday sentenced Casey Jerald Daniels, 31, to 48 months in prison for Criminal Vehicular Homicide – Alcohol Concentration .08 or More within 2 Hours of Driving, announced St. Louis County Attorney Kim Maki. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Mr. Daniels moved the court for a downward departure from the presumptive sentence. The State opposed the motion. Despite Mr. Daniels’ sincere expression of remorse and grief, Judge Friday denied Mr. Daniels motion and imposed the guideline sentence.
On July 27, 2024, deputies were dispatched to an ATV trail between Chisholm and Buhl on a report of a single Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) crash. Deputies arrived on scene and observed the defendant, Mr. Daniels, the male victim, the damaged UTV, and empty alcoholic beverage cans scattered around the area. The victim was unresponsive and declared deceased at the scene. Mr. Daniels admitted that he was driving the UTV at the time of the crash. A sample of Mr. Daniels’ blood, sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing, revealed an alcohol concentration of .113.
“This tragedy serves as a painful reminder that alcohol and recreational vehicles are a deadly combination,” said County Attorney Maki. “While the Court’s sentence cannot restore the life that was lost, it reinforces that impaired and reckless driving carries serious consequences. We hope others will learn from this case before another family experiences the same devastating loss.”
The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family of the victim and thanks them for their patience during the court process. Additionally, the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office credits the successful outcome in this matter to the thorough investigation by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant County Attorney Tyler Kenefick.
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