Nashwauk man sentenced to 8 years for hitting, killing 2-year-old, injuring teen

A Nashwauk man was sentenced Friday for hitting and killing a 2-year-old and injuring a teenager last year in Itasca County.

According to the Itasca County Attorney’s Office, 40-year-old Jake Michael Place was sentenced to the maximum of more than eight years (105 months) in jail on charges of criminal vehicular operation and criminal vehicular homicide.

Man faces criminal vehicular homicide charge after 2-year-old hit, killed and 16-year-old hurt near Nashwauk

The Minnesota State Patrol said the hit-and-run crash occurred on Highway 65 at about 1 p.m. on Aug. 1, 2019. A 16-year-old pedestrian was walking southbound along the righthand shoulder of Highway 65 and was pushing a stroller with a 2-year-old inside.

Place, who was driving a pickup, crossed onto the shoulder and hit the pedestrian and stroller from behind, according to the State Patrol. He then left the scene before being stopped near Nashwauk and arrested.