Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - A Rochester woman whose car struck and fatally injured a pedestrian is now facing criminal charges.

Charged Thursday in Olmsted County Court was 38-year-old Nicole Alexander.

The criminal complaint says Alexander was driving in the 1800 block of 2nd St SW the morning of Nov. 2nd last year when she struck the woman as she was crossing the street. Alexander told police she was driving about 35 mph and slammed the brakes when she saw the woman but could not avoid hitting her.

A man who had been ahead of Alexander stopped his car when he saw the woman. He told police Alexander came up from behind in the other lane and hit the woman. The man says the woman “was in the crosswalk at all times while crossing the street.” The woman was thrown about 20 feet.

The woman - 47-year-old Karlys Koens of Stewartville - was declared brain dead later that evening. Her family decided to donate her organs.

Alexander has been ordered to make her first court appearance in May.

The three charges are all misdemeanors:

Traffic Regulation - Driver Fails to Yield to Pedestrian in Crosswalk-No Traffic Signals-
Traffic Regulation - Driver Approaching from Rear Passes Vehicle Stopped for Ped at X-Walk
3) Traffic - Duty to Drive with Due Care - Speed Greater than
Reasonable

 

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