Man gets year in jail for fatal alcohol-related crash in Baldwin

On June 3, 2023, 24-year-old Kyle Flor of Zimmerman was intoxicated and driving his 2014 Chevrolet Corvette in excess of 75 m.p.h. when he made an abrupt lane change on Highway 169 in Baldwin.

As a result, Flor hit a Honda driven by Kelvin O. Gomez-Landero of Honduras, killing Gomez-Landero in the ensuing rollover and injuring two passengers in the Gomez-Landero vehicle.

Fifteen months following the horrific crash, Flor has been sentenced to serve one year in the Sherburne County Jail after pleading guilty to one count of criminal vehicular homicide and two counts of criminal vehicular operation in connection with the crash that occurred shortly after 1 p.m. June 3, 2023 on southbound Highway 169 at Northwest 305th Avenue, also known as Sherburne County Road 38.

Flor was accused of fleeing the scene of the crash. He was followed by a witness to the crash and persuaded by the witness to return to the scene, where he was arrested by troopers with the Minnesota State Patrol, according to the criminal complaint filed in Sherburne County District Court.

Troopers arrived on scene to find the Honda laying on its side in trees on the west side of southbound Highway 169. The vehicle had struck multiple trees in the ditch, causing the roof to rip off and causing heavy damage to the vehicle, according to the criminal complaint. The victim, who died at the scene of the crash, was observed laying on the ground in front of the windshield area of the Honda with visible fractures and lacerations, the complaint added.

After returning to the scene of the crash, Flor talked with a Sherburne County deputy and alleged that the Honda was in his “blind spot” when he went to switch lanes, the complaint states. Flor allegedly denied that he knew the crash occurred.

In a discussion with a state trooper, Flor allegedly said he had been at the Princeton Golf Club where he had consumed beer and a bloody Mary, the complaint states.

Flor alleged that while driving home from the golf course, he felt his clutch slip, which made his car “wobbly,” according to the complaint. He further alleged that he didn’t observe any vehicles near him at the time the clutch slipped.

The State Patrol reported that the Corvette had scratches, missing paint, and paint transfer on the passenger side rear fender. Flor allegedly told deputies that the scuff marks were not on the rear fender prior to the crash, the complaint states.

A state trooper reported that while talking to Flor, he smelled alcohol coming from the crash suspect. The trooper stated that he observed that Flor’s eyes were bloodshot and watery, as well.

Flor submitted to field sobriety tests and allegedly showed six signs of impairment. He also submitted to a preliminary breath test, and scored a reading of .094, according to the criminal complaint.