Man Found Guilty in Deadly Forest Lake Hit-and-Run
A North Branch man has been found guilty on multiple charges in connection with a fatal Forest Lake hit-and-run.
Dylan Robert Simmons, 21, was arrested after using his vehicle to strike Darisha Bailey-Vath, 17, in July 2023.
Darisha Bailey-Vath (right) Via GoFundMe
According to witnesses, a physical altercation between two groups preceded the incident. Simmons reportedly used his vehicle to drive toward members of the opposing group multiple times, ultimately running over the victim and injuring three others. He fled the scene but later admitted to driving the vehicle when questioned by police.
A jury returned guilty verdicts for unintentional second-degree murder, criminal vehicular homicide and three counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with the July 16 incident.
Simmons was acquitted of intentional second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter.
Video evidence, including a cell phone recording and surveillance footage, showed Simmons accelerating toward a group of bystanders, hitting the victim and fleeing the scene. A Minnesota State Patrol crash reconstruction confirmed no mechanical defects in the vehicle contributed to the collision.
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner ruled the victim’s cause of death as traumatic head injuries from the collision, classifying it as a homicide. The three additional victims testified they feared for their lives during the incident.
Simmons will be sentenced on March 20, 2025, facing up to 40 years for the most serious charge of unintentional second-degree murder along with additional penalties for the remaining convictions.
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