Deer River woman also charged in fatal Grand Rapids crash

GRAND RAPIDS — A second person was charged Thursday, Aug. 27, for their role in the fatal crash Saturday in Grand Rapids.

Court documents filed Thursday allege Kerri Ellen Hart, 38, caused the death of Janelle Swenson, 42, of Cohasset by operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner.

Jack Drumbeater, 41, of Cohasset was charged with third-degree murder and three other felonies Tuesday for his role in the crash.

Hart and Drumbeater were both in the vehicle when it hit Swenson’s car on Highway 2 on the western edge of the city late Saturday afternoon.

Hart was hospitalized in Duluth due to injuries from the crash until Wednesday, when she was transported to the Itasca County Jail.

In her statements to police, Hart said Drumbeater is her ex-boyfriend. She described his abusive behavior toward her leading up to the crash and said he’d threatened to hurt her if she did not go with him.

Shortly before the crash, Drumbeater stopped at a Lucky Seven gas station and went inside. Hart said she remembered thinking if she could get in the driver’s seat, she could go and get help.

When she finally moved into the driver’s seat, Drumbeater was coming out of the store. Hart told police she "gassed it,” not realizing that Drumbeater had climbed into the bed of the truck.

He broke through the back window, and Hart said he punched her in the side of the head; she doesn’t remember the crash, and when she woke up, she was in the passenger seat.

Hart’s felony criminal vehicular homicide charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, a $20,000 fine or both.

She made her first appearance in court Friday. She'll make her next appearance Oct. 21.