Charges: Tesla was going over 100 mph before fatal St. Paul crash

A man who was reportedly driving over 100 mph before crashing into another car, killing a man, is now facing criminal charges.

According to court documents from Ramsey County, 22-year-old Musab Ibrahim Kosar has been charged with felony criminal vehicular homicide.

On Wednesday morning, before 2 a.m., a Minnesota State Patrol trooper reported spotting a black Tesla traveling at 84 mph in a 55 mph zone on eastbound Interstate 94, according to charging documents. The trooper then followed the Tesla, which reportedly sped up to over 100 mph.

According to the pursuing state trooper, he did not activate his lights or siren while attempting to catch up to the Tesla, which he said turned its lights off as it exited the interstate.

Losing track of the vehicle after it exited, the trooper said he saw sparks and smoke at the intersection of Dale Street and Concordia Avenue. Upon investigating, the trooper stated that the Tesla had crashed into the driver’s side of a Toyota RAV4, pushing it across several lanes of traffic and into a block retaining wall.

RELATED: 1 killed in overnight crash in St. Paul

The trooper said the Toyota’s driver, identified as 31-year-old Benjamin Michael Villano, was heavily injured, bleeding from his mouth, nose and ears. Court records said the trooper was unable to reach Villano to provide him with medical assistance while paramedics made their way to the crash.

Villano was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The occupants of the Tesla were also injured; the trooper said the driver, Kosar, and his passenger, a 19-year-old woman, were both covered in blood, in pain, and claimed to have no memory of the crash.

Both had to be removed from the car and were taken to the hospital.

While at the hospital, Kosar again told investigators he had no memory of the crash. While Kosar’s injuries are not life-threatening, he is still hospitalized. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Kosar’s passenger also spoke to investigators. Upon learning Villano had died, she reportedly became “very emotional,” stating she had asked Kosar to stop speeding in the past.

She told investigators that she and Kosar had broken up earlier in the day and had been discussing their relationship after getting food.

Because Kosar is still in the hospital, no initial court appearance has been set.
The post Charges: Tesla was going over 100 mph before fatal St. Paul crash first appeared on KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News.