Crime & Safety

Burnsville Man Identified as Crash Victim, Lakeville Woman Faces Multiple Charges

Jeffrey Richard Trondson of Burnsville was killed Thursday evening by a suspected drunk driver.

A 44-year-old Lakeville woman was being held in the Ramsey County women’s jail Friday evening in connection to Thursday night’s crash on the Apple Valley-Lakeville border that killed a 29-year-old Burnsville man.

Bail for Leah Marie Colwell, who grew up in Apple Valley (per a prior report) was set at $150,000, according to the Dakota County Jail website. She was charged with felony criminal vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol, gross misdemeanor third-degree driving while impaired, gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation of a driver’s license and a misdemeanor open bottle violation.

Jeffrey Richard Trondson of Burnsville was killed in the crash, according to a death notice that appears on the White Funeral Home website.

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Colwell made her first appearance on the charges in Dakota County District Court in Hastings on Friday. Her omnibus hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 20 in Hastings, according to the jail website.

Apple Valley police arrested Colwell at the scene of the vehicle-motorcycle crash at the intersection of 160th Street (County Road 46) and Harwell Avenue shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday.

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The Pioneer Press reports Colwell was making a left-hand turn onto northbound Harwell Avenue from eastbound 160th Street when she drove into the path of the motorcyclist.

Trondson died at the scene.

This is the second fatal crash involving a motorcycle in or near Lakeville in the past week. Last Saturday, a 26-year-old Claremont, MN man died in a crash on Cedar Avenue near 202nd Street.

Click on the headline below to read more about this incident:
UPDATED: Motorcyclist Killed in Crash near Lakeville-Apple Valley Border


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