Dad faces criminal charges after letting little girl take friend for a ride on ATV that ended in horrific double-tragedy READ MORE: ATV thief learns harsh lesson moments after stealing four-wheeler By Alex Hammer For Dailymail.Com Published: 19:56, 23 July 2024 | Updated: 19:56, 23 July 2024 e-mail View comments A dad's decision to let his daughter and friend operate an ATV ended in a double tragedy, and he now faces criminal charges following the fatal four-wheeled ride. Lance Alan Koeckeritz, 54, called the second-degree manslaughter and child endangerment charges 'mind-blowing' on Monday - three months after the wreck that killed his daughter Savanna, 10, and 10-year-old Alexis Gibson.
The incident occurred on the family's property near Afton, Minnesota , where Savannah was allowed to operate the ATV with an 800cc engine. Along for the ride was Alexis, who was eventually found with the underage driver under the overturned ATV's full weight. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, spurring an investigation culminating with Koeckeritz being charged on Friday in Washington County District Court.
He is due in court on August 19. Lance Alan Koeckeritz, seen here with wife Jennifer, called the second-degree manslaughter and child endangerment charges 'mind-blowing' when asked about them on Monday The charges were filed three months after the wreck that killed his daughter Savanna, 10, and 10-year-old Alexis Gibson 'Us and the kids have hundreds of hours on four-wheelers,' Koecke.