An Afton man is facing criminal charges after his 10-year-old daughter gave her classmate a ride on an ATV last year, resulting in a rollover that killed both girls.
The Washington County Attorney's Office on Tuesday charged Lance A. Koeckeritz, 54, with two counts of 2nd-degree manslaughter and two counts of child endangerment in connection with the April 22, 2023 incident on his property in Afton.
His daughter, Savanna Koeckeritz, and her friend and classmate, 10-year-old Alexis "Lexi" Gibson, of Mahtomedi, both died at the scene.
According to the criminal complaint, Lexi went home with Savanna from school that day to have a sleepover.
Court documents describe the Koeckeritz property as an 8.4-acre, hilly site with worn dirt paths and various vehicles, machinery and semi-trailers.
Koeckeritz told detectives that he was in his office trailer working that afternoon and never left home, nor did he hear any disturbances.
Detectives found the work trailer to be "nearly soundproof" and noted they could barely hear yelling directly outside the trailer door," charges state.
According to the complaint, Savanna Koeckeritz's mother arrived at their home around 4:15 p.m. because she planned to take the girls to a movie.
She searched for the girls for over 15 minutes, but could not find them, the complaint states. At approximately 5 p.m., another child at the home found the girls pinned underneath the ATV.
The mother and child performed CPR on the girls, who were both blue and cold to the touch, until law enforcement arrived and took over.
Both girls were ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy later determined neither girl suffered any internal injuries or trauma, and both died due to asphyxia from the ATV rollover.
According to the complaint, the girls were riding a 2013 CF-MOTO ATV with a saddle-style seat and 800cc engine.
Per the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the recommended engine size for children ages 10 and 11 is up to 110cc.
Koeckeritz allegedly told detectives the children were allowed to operate the ATV whenever they wanted, and were not required to check in with him or ask permission.
According to the complaint, he told investigators "the girls would take the ATV for brief periods at a time" and that they would return to a camper on the property or the residence.
Remembering Lexi and Savanna
In a statement last year, Tom Kearney, principal of New Heights School in Stillwater, said Lexi and Savanna had been enrolled since kindergarten and were members of the 4th/5th grade classroom.
"Lexi and Savanna were both good students and friends to many throughout the school, but especially to those in their classroom," Kearney shared. "This tragedy has left a giant hole in our school community and our students, staff, and administration are doing everything we can to support the families of Lexi and Savanna.
An obituary for Lexi states "she possessed wisdom beyond her years" and her classmates will remember her "laugh and brilliant smile."
"She loved space and the northern lights and hanging out with her mom," the remembrance reads.
Savanna's obituary remembers her as a "sweet hearted and loving child who was adored by everyone she met, she always had a smile on her face, a hug to give, and always wanted to snuggle up to watch a movie or read a book."
If convicted of all counts, Koeckeritz could face up to 30 years in prison.
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