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St. Paul driver high on marijuana when he caused fatal crash with motorcyclist in May, charges say

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A St. Paul man has been charged with criminal vehicular homicide for allegedly causing a fatal collision with a motorcycle while under the influence of marijuana.

Eric Ellington, 36, told police he hadn’t noticed vehicles were stopped in front of him when he rammed into the motorcycle May 1 in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood, according to charging documents.

Eric Ellington, 36, of St. Paul,

The 42-year-old driver of the motorcycle was thrown from his bike and found unconscious in the roadway. Maplewood resident Kevin Patterson was rushed to Regions Hospital and treated for severe head trauma, and was taken off life support two weeks later.

According to the complaint filed in Ramsey County District Court, witnesses and video footage revealed Ellington was headed east on Maryland Avenue before smashing into the motorcycle, which was stopped behind three other vehicles at the intersection with Edgerton Street.

At no point did Ellington slow down or appear to brake before the collision.

Ellington told officers he’d smoked a “blunt” earlier in the day. A drug recognition expert who arrived at the crash site determined he showed signs of marijuana use after failing multiple sobriety tests and displaying red eyes, white film on his tongue and leg tremors, court documents say.

A blood test confirmed Ellington had THC, the mind-altering substance found in marijuana, in his body at the time of the crash, the complaint said.

Officers also reportedly found marijuana in his car.

No attorney was listed for Ellington in court records. He is expected to make his next court appearance on the charges Aug. 11.

He has no felonies on his record.


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