CHARGES: Drunk Driver Fled After Fatally Striking Pedestrian
A White Bear Lake man is now charged after allegedly fatally striking a pedestrian and fleeing the scene yesterday afternoon.
Authorities were dispatched to the intersection of Birch Lake Boulevard North and White Bear Parkway in White Bear Township shortly after 4:20 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2025, on a report of a pedestrian being hit by a driver.
Arriving deputies found a bystander administering CPR to a 72-year-old woman in the roadway. Emergency medical personnel attempted lifesaving efforts, but she was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.
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According to witness accounts, the vehicle involved—a Kia Telluride—drove through the intersection without slowing, struck the victim and then fled the scene eastbound. The criminal complaint notes that the victim was in a clearly marked crosswalk when the crash happened.
A short time later, a 46-year-old man arrived at the White Bear Lake Police Department to report his involvement in the crash. The man—now identified as Christopher Ronald Olson—was taken into custody after investigators noted signs of intoxication including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol.
According to the criminal complaint filed Friday, Olson admitted to consuming “a few beers” before driving. A preliminary breath test at the police department registered his blood alcohol content at 0.158—just under twice the legal limit.
An ambulance rig near White Bear Pkwy. & Birch Lake Blvd. N. in White Bear Lake on March 27, 2025. MN CRIME PHOTO
In an interview, Olson also admitted to drinking four “shooter” bottles of Vodka after work. He said he was driving on White Bear Parkway with his cruise control set and wasn’t paying attention when he struck the victim, who was crossing the road. Olson also told deputies he panicked after the crash and initially drove to his mother’s house, who convinced Olson to report the incident and turn himself in.
READ MORE > Ramsey County coverage
Officers later discovered that Olson had a loaded handgun in the center console of his truck at the time of the crash. He confirmed to authorities that he had been carrying the weapon while under the influence of alcohol.
Olson is now facing three felony charges: criminal vehicular homicide for operating a vehicle with negligence while under the influence of alcohol, causing a death while driving with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours and for failing to stop at the scene of an accident involving death. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
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Olson has two prior DWI convictions from 2009 and 2012. He remains in custody at the Ramsey County Jail as the investigation continues and he was scheduled to make an initial court appearance Friday afternoon.
The victim of the crash has not yet been officially identified as of publication.
Near White Bear Pkwy. & Birch Lake Blvd. N. in White Bear Lake on Thursday, March 27, 2025. MN CRIME PHOTO
