HASTINGS, Minn. — A south metro man will serve a four year prison sentence for his role in a 2018 freeway crash that left a 19-year-old passenger dead.
James Robert Lapsley of Prior Lake was sentenced Monday morning in Dakota County in connection with the May 26, 2018 crash that took place on I-35W in Burnsville. Killed in the wreck was 19-year-old Kayli Thompson of Burnsville. Tests later showed Lapsley had drugs in his system.
Investigators say Lapsley was behind the wheel, speeding down I-35W when his vehicle went into a ditch around 7:30 that morning near County Road 42. Officers responded to reports of the crash and learned that Lapsley's Ford Fusion had veered off the interstate and hit a sound barrier wall, trapping Thompson inside the vehicle.
Emergency crews responded but were unable to save Thompson, who died at the scene.
Officers who spoke with Lapsley say his eyes were glassy and bloodshot, and his speech slurred. Blood tests revealed the presence of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Reconstruction of the accident indicated Lapsley's car was traveling at approximately 83 miles per hour
Prosecutors say a witness told investigators he was driving down I-35W when he saw Lapsley's Ford Fusion driving erratically and at a high rate of speed. He said the driver was not maintaining his lane and nearly hit the median at least twice.
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