We all have to make decisions in life, but sometimes those decisions can lead to profound regret. Sadly, a father in Minnesota is facing an overwhelming amount of regret.
Lance Alan Koeckeritz, a 54-year-old father, was entrusted with the care of his 10-year-old daughter, Savannah, and her friend, Alexis Gibson. Unfortunately, tragedy struck during their time together.
The three of them decided to go for a ride on an ATV. While minors their age are allowed to operate ATVs, there are strict regulations in place. The engine of the ATV they were riding had a 800cc capacity, exceeding the 110cc limit set for children their age.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the girls were operating the ATV when it became too much for them to handle. Tragically, they were crushed under the weight of the vehicle. Despite the efforts of emergency workers, the girls were pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation was launched to determine what went wrong, and now Koeckeritz is facing two counts of second degree manslaughter and child endangerment. Naturally, he finds these charges to be ‘mind-blowing’.
In an interview, he expressed his grief, saying: “We lost our daughter and her friend. It’s devastating… The fact that the county prosecutor would even consider filing charges is beyond comprehension. Isn’t it enough that my other children have lost their sister due to a freak accident?”
Koeckeritz also emphasized that the ATV and its use were not unusual for his family. In fact, they all have extensive experience with four-wheelers and it has been a part of their lives for as long as he can remember.
Describing the cause of the accident, he explained: “She was making a left-hand turn, and a wheel got caught in a divot. It was an unforeseen event.”
During the tragic incident, Jennifer Koeckeritz, Lance’s wife, performed CPR on the two girls alongside another child. First responders also worked tirelessly, but sadly, they were unable to save the young girls.
It’s worth noting that Lance was not directly supervising the girls when the accident occurred. His wife was at work and returned home at 4:15 pm to find the girls missing, growing increasingly concerned. Eventually, another child at home made the devastating discovery – the girls were found crushed under the weight of the ATV, neither wearing any protective gear. With a full tank of gas, the ATV weighs approximately 1000 pounds.
