Charges: Walker man had been drinking before fatal hit-and-run that killed his 1-year-old niece

A man from northern Minnesota faces multiple charges stemming from a fatal hit-and-run incident that left a 1-year-old dead.

According to court documents, 28-year-old Anthony James Goose, from Walker, faces one count of criminal vehicular homicide by operating a vehicle with negligence while under the influence of alcohol; a second count of criminal vehicular homicide by being the driver who caused the collision and left the scene; and a third charge for Goose’s driver’s license being revoked at the time of the incident.

If convicted, Goose faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in a state correctional facility. His next court hearing is scheduled for May 17.

The criminal complaint states, on May 2 at about 4:55 p.m., a deputy from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office was advised of a motor vehicle versus pedestrian incident at a residence in the county. The deputy was also advised that the suspect vehicle was believed to be a white SUV. After arriving on scene, the deputy witnessed a juvenile female lying on her back in the driveway with her parents kneeling beside her. According to the complaint, the deputy noticed a pool of blood near the victim.

1-year-old killed in hit-and-run in Walker; suspect in custody

Later, the victim was identified to be 1.5 years old. The deputy began performing CPR on the child. While doing so, the deputy was made aware that the suspect vehicle was a white Chevrolet Tahoe bearing Leech Lake Tribal license plate "LOVELY," and the suspected driver was the child’s uncle. Goose was then identified as the suspect.

Goose was said to be at the residence prior to the incident working on the brakes on his SUV. While the child’s parents were inside the residence getting ready to go to the store, Goose left the area. The stepfather told authorities he then heard their other daughter’s screams and went outside to find the child in the driveway.

Witnesses confirmed that the white SUV with the license plate "LOVELY" was the vehicle that ran over the child. A neighbor in the area provided surveillance footage of the incident to law enforcement, confirming again it was Goose’s vehicle that ran the victim over.

The complaint states Goose would frequently stop by the residence if he’d been drinking to smoke and try to sober up before going home. A bottle of Peppermint Schnapps was still on the counter.

It adds that deputies noticed the strong odor of alcohol while talking to Goose, who then agreed to undergo a field sobriety test. The complaint states Goose failed both tests, and a preliminary breath test indicated a blood-alcohol level of .123. Goose then told deputies he’d been drinking Schnapps earlier.

Goose’s license was revoked on Dec. 11, 2020, for driving while impaired and hasn’t been reinstated since, according to the complaint.