Owatonna man who ran over toddler receives 60-day sentence, stay of imposition
(ABC 6 News) – An Owatonna man who ran over a toddler, left the scene, and got a car wash was sentenced to 60 days in the Steele County Jail Thursday, Dec. 19.
Scott Pfeifer pleaded guilty to felony criminal vehicular operation–substantial bodily harm, as well as gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation–bodily harm, driver who causes crash leaves scene.
Steele County judge Jeffrey Kritzer granted Pfiefer a stay of imposition, meaning that if he serves a 2-year probation term without incident, the convictions will be reduced to lower levels, such as misdemeanors.
Kritzer also allowed Pfiefer to serve the time on work release, if eligible.
Pfiefer ran over Anastasia Westphall, who was just two months shy of her second birthday, at Rose St. West and Oak Ave. North around 9 p.m. May 21.
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Westphall was airlifted to Rochester’s children’s ICU and suffered a broken pelvis, fractured skull, severe concussion and lacerated liver.
According to their attorney, Dan McIntosh, the Westphall family is actively seeking recompense for the injuries and other damages caused by Pfiefer.
Though a civil suit has not yet been filed, it could be if a resolution is not found alongside the sentencing.
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ABC 6 NEWS — A suspect in a hit-and-run in Owatonna entered a guilty plea in a hit-and-run case that injured a toddler.
Scott Pfeifer, 36, will be in a Steele County courtroom today for his plea hearing.
Pfeifer pleaded guilty to one felony and one gross misdemeanor count of criminal vehicular operation.
The charges stem from an incident occurring on May 21.
All parties would survive the incident, but the child did reportedly suffer extensive injuries.
The court agreed to sentence Pfeifer to no more than 60 days of jail. Restitution has yet to be determined.
During the plea hearing, Pfeifer claimed he did not believe he hit any of the pedestrians in the crosswalk. Instead, he said he believed someone had hit his car with their hand as he passed through.