BREAKING NEWS: Man charged in Steele County fatality

The Steele County Attorney’s Office has charged Hunter Joseph Conrad, 19, of Morristown, with one count of criminal vehicular homicide in connect with the May crash that killed a Medford woman.

County Attorney Robert Jarrett announced the charge Friday against Conrad accusing him of operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner. The crash happened on May 28 at 50th Street NW and N. Cedar Avenue between Medford and Owatonna. Jackie Ostlund, 79, of Medford, died in the crash.

In the complaint against Conrad, authorities found that Conrad was using Instagram on his cell phone at the time of the crash. “Trooper concluded Conrad was actively using his phone in the minutes leading up to the crash, if not at the time of the crash,” the complaint stated.

The investigation also found that Conrad’s vehicle was traveling between 55 and 60 mph at the time of impact with Ostlund’s vehicle.

Conrad is expected to make his first court appearance on Sept. 16.

“My condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Mrs. Ostlund,” said Steele County Attorney Robert Jarrett. “My office will work hard to ensure justice and will provide necessary support for the victim’s family.”