Man Pleads Guilty in Minneapolis Crash That Killed 1, Injured Several

Aug 21

A Saint Paul man has pleaded guilty in relation to a Minneapolis crash that killed one person and left several others injured last year.

Court records show 30-year-old Talon Covie Cadrell Walker pleaded guilty last week to criminal vehicular homicide in connection with the Oct. 23, 2024 crash near Lyndale Avenue and the Interstate 94 exit ramp.

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According to the criminal complaint, Walker was driving a Chevy Avalanche at an estimated 100 miles per hour when he sideswiped one vehicle before slamming into the back of a Jeep Cherokee. The impact pushed the Jeep into a chain reaction that damaged several cars. The driver of the Jeep died at the scene, and multiple passengers and drivers in other vehicles were injured. Troopers found an open bottle of liquor on the floor of Walker’s vehicle. A blood test later showed an alcohol concentration of .093, along with marijuana and fentanyl in his system.

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One passenger in Walker’s vehicle told investigators she met him days earlier and that they had been smoking marijuana together. She said Walker appeared “zoned out” before the crash and drove erratically, ignoring her screams to slow down. She suffered severe injuries, including fractures to both femurs, a dislocated hip, and additional leg and foot injuries. Doctors expect long-term disabilities. She was also pregnant at the time and hospitalized for more than three weeks.

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*The scene of the Oct. 23, 2024 crash via* ***MnDOT Traffic Management Camera***

Another woman, who was riding in the Jeep Cherokee, was knocked unconscious and later diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and subdural hematoma. Five other people suffered less serious injuries, including abrasions and pain complaints.

Walker has a prior license revocation from 2021 for impaired driving. He was initially charged with 15 counts, including multiple counts of criminal vehicular homicide and operation. Prosecutors filed a motion earlier seeking the maximum sentence of 15 years.

As part of the plea agreement, Walker pled guilty to three felony counts and will be sentenced to between 90 and 120 months in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 2nd.

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