The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
Cayler Ellingson (Independent file photo)
Shannon Brandt, 41, appeared in court without representation on Monday, Sept. 26, and he was released after posting bond Tuesday.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, Sept. 18, tragedy struck in McHenry, N.D., when a pedestrian was hit and killed shortly after the McHenry Days street dance.
According to a press release from the N.D. Highway Patrol, 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson of Grace City, N.D., was killed after being struck by 41-year-old Shannon Joseph Brandt of McHenry, driving a 2003 Ford Explorer.
The accident occurred at approximately 2:55 a.m. while Ellingson was walking on Jones Street, directly east of Hohneck Street in McHenry.
Ellingson was transported to CHI St. Alexius Medical Center in Carrington via ambulance, but later died as a result of his injuries. Brandt was uninjured.
Ellingson is the son of Cole and Sheri Ellingson and a 2022 graduate of Carrington High School.
His funeral service will be held Monday, Sept. 26 at 1 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Carrington. Burial will be held at the Grace City Cemetery.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for the Ellingson family. In addition, Buck-Its Bar in New Rockford pledged 100 percent of sales on Saturday, Sept. 24 to the family.
According to court documents, Brandt was interviewed by law enforcement and admitted to striking Ellingson because of a political argument, and said he believed that Ellingson "was calling people to come get him."
The document adds that Brandt told State Radio "the pedestrian was part of a Republican extremist group."
The document also states that Brandt admitted to drinking alcohol prior to the accident, as well as leaving the scene before returning shortly afterwards and calling 911.
Brandt was taken to the Stutsman County Correctional Center and charged with Criminal Vehicle Homicide-Felony Involving a Motor Vehicle, a Class A Felony, and with Duty In Accident Involving Death or Injury-Death, a Class B felony.
Brandt's initial appearance and bond hearing took place on Monday, Sept. 19. He represented himself and requested an application for a court-appointed attorney. Bail was set at $50,000 cash or surety, as recommended by Foster County State's Attorney Kara Brinster. He was also ordered to have no contact with the Ellingson family and not leave the state throughout the course of the legal proceedings against him.
On Sept. 20, Brandt posted bond and was released from the Stutsman County Correctional Center.
If found guilty, a Class A Felony carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment due to a DUI/APC charge from 2002 already on Brandt's record.
A Class B Felony, meanwhile, carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and/or a $20,000 fine.
The N.D. Highway Patrol and North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) are investigating the circumstances and events that led to the fatal crash. The Carrington Police Department and Foster County Sheriff's Office also responded to the collision.
According to the press release, pending a full investigation by the N.D. Highway Patrol and BCI, further charges may be considered.
Brandt's preliminary hearing/arraignment has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 11, at 3 p.m. at the Foster County Courthouse.
