Dad Charged With Son's Death In Alcohol-Related Crash
ELMDALE TOWNSHIP, Minn. (WCCO) -- A 31-year-old Little Falls man has been charged with criminal vehicular homicide in connection to the crash that killed his 2-year-old son, according to the Morrison County Attorney's Office.
At 8:13 p.m. on July 9, Morrison County dispatch received a 911 call from a woman who stated that she was involved in a motor vehicle crash where her young son had been ejected from vehicle and might be pinned underneath it.
When a Morrison County deputy arrived at the accident on Acorn Road in Elmdale Township, the car was observed in a ditch, on its side, with the roof facing the road.
Gabriel David Pauly, the man who has been charged, was on the scene, waving his arms to a deputy. He said that his little boy was underneath the vehicle, according to the criminal complaint.
Both Pauly and the deputy were unsuccessful in trying to push the vehicle over.
When first responders arrived, the vehicle was pushed over and the child was found underneath. They tried performing life-saving techniques, but the child, identified as Quintin Pauly, was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the complaint, Gabriel Pauly, who admitted to driving the vehicle, showed signs of intoxication: strong odor of alcohol coming from him and bloodshot, watery eyes. After a breathalyzer test, Pauly's results came back at .133 BAC, the complaint said.
Pauly was transported to the St. Cloud Hospital and agreed to a blood test, which was sent to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing.
Later, at the Morrison County Jail, Pauly agreed to give a taped statement. He said he went to the Swanville Carnival earlier with his fiancé and his two children. He admitted to drinking six, 16-ounce cans of beer, the complaint said.
While driving home, Pauly said that he "obviously must have been traveling too fast" when taking the 90-degree turn. He also said that Quintin was in a car seat, but he wasn't sure if he was buckled in or not, the complaint said.
Quintin died of asphyxia due to external thorastic (chest) compression due to the accident, according to preliminary autopsy results.
If convicted of his felony charge, Pauly could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.
