A man is now facing criminal charges in connection with a crash that caused the death of 5-year-old Morgan Petersen back in late January.

“She had a huge heart… She always wanted to help other people out.”

That’s how Christopher Petersen says he will always remember his 5-year-old daughter Morgan. He recalls Morgan always wanting to help those in need they’d see along the road.

“If there was a person out there with a sign — if they looked like they were cold, I had to give them a blanket, some food, some money.”

Back in late January, Morgan died after the family’s Ford Focus was struck by an SUV. The family’s car was stalled in the left lane of eastbound Highway 36 at Lake Elmo Avenue when they were hit.

Jeffrey Dean Alexander Jr., 47, was charged Monday with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide, with one count specifying that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash and the other specifying driving in a “grossly negligent manner.”

Alexander was charged via summons and is not in custody.

As previously reported, first responders were dispatched to the crash at the intersection of Highway 36 and Lake Elmo Boulevard around 8:45 p.m. on Jan. 20.

According to court documents, the Petersen’s Ford Focus had been stalled due to a mechanical issue in the left lane of Highway 36 at the intersection. The Ford, driven by Christopher, had been hit from behind by a Nissan Pathfinder, driven by Alexander.

Both vehicles had extensive damage.

Morgan was brought to the hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.

Alexander was driving behind another vehicle prior to the crash. Witnesses and traffic cameras revealed that the vehicle had switched lanes to avoid the stalled Ford, and Alexander crashed into it, court documents state.

Investigators allege Alexander was speeding right before the crash, adding, “…The roadway was clear and dry, and the flashing lights of the stalled vehicle were visible for approximately 1/4 mile in distance.”

State Patrol officials noted that Alexander was driving 81 mph five seconds before the crash, 75 mph four seconds before the crash and 62-63 mph at the time of the crash. The speed limit for that section of Highway 36 is 65 mph.

A blood draw a few hours after the crash showed Alexander had a blood-alcohol concentration of .056, as well as the presence of Clonazepam, which Alexander was prescribed.

State Patrol officials noted the following contributing factors in the crash:

• Alexander “failing to recognize the hazard created by the stalled Ford prior to changing lanes into the left lane.”
• Speeding
• Impairment from alcohol and clonazepam
• Alexander “failing to drive with sufficient distance between his vehicle and those in front of him to react to hazards within the roadway.”

At the time of this publishing, court records do not list an attorney for Alexander.

“I know the system moves slow,” Christopher told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS on Monday. The State Patrol investigation has taken nearly seven months.

“It was a relief. I was literally shaking. It was like a weight lifted. I had just thought that the person who did this was going to get away with it.”

That was Christopher’s reaction to new criminal charges being filed against Alexander on Monday morning. Now, he waits for the first court hearing in the case.

“I hope that my daughter will get justice out of it,” Christopher said.

He said he misses his daughter each and every day. “Big-hearted child… Just a shame that she is gone.”