Full Breakdown
Wrong-Way Driver Charged with Vehicular Homicide After Fatal Highway 11 Crash
6/4/2026, 1:52:48 AM
Fatal Collision on Highway 11
On May 29, 2024, a red pickup truck traveling westbound on Highway 11 near Roseau, Minnesota, entered the opposite lane and collided head-on with an SUV. The impact killed 82-year-old Barbara Welberg of Baudette. Police reports indicate the pickup was operating on the wrong side of the road at the time of the crash.
Individuals Involved
The driver of the pickup was identified as 43-year-old Shauna Dokken. Court documents show Dokken was on probation for a prior drug-related driving offense. The deceased, Barbara Welberg, was an elderly resident of Baudette. No additional passengers were reported in either vehicle.
Police Observations and Evidence
Officers documented that Dokken’s speech was slurred and unusually slow when she was first approached at the crash site and again during medical evaluation. Toxicology screening confirmed the absence of alcohol, while a blood specimen was dispatched to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for laboratory testing of prescription drug levels. The investigative report also notes the driver’s prior probation for a drug-related driving violation, a factor that may be considered in subsequent legal proceedings.
Investigation Findings
A witness observed the pickup veer into oncoming traffic and nearly strike another vehicle east of Roseau. Responding officers noted Dokken’s slurred speech and negative alcohol test. A blood sample collected from Dokken was forwarded to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for further analysis.
Legal Action
Prosecutors filed a criminal complaint charging Dokken with vehicular homicide. The complaint also references her prior probation for a drug-influenced driving conviction. The charge reflects the fatal outcome of the wrong-way maneuver and the alleged negligence leading to the collision.
Potential Contributing Factors
Court records reveal Dokken admitted to taking prescription medications, including Adderall and Lorazepam, on the day of the crash. While no alcohol was detected, the presence of these controlled substances may be relevant to the investigation. Dokken initially offered an alternative explanation, claiming her dog seized the steering wheel while she reached for a treat; investigators have classified this account as conflicting with witness testimony and observed vehicle behavior.
Official Responses
Law-enforcement officials have described the incident as a clear case of wrong-way driving resulting in a fatality. Prosecutors have emphasized that the vehicular homicide charge is based on the driver’s unlawful entry into oncoming traffic and the resulting death. No additional statements from the victim’s family were included in the public record.
Conflicting Accounts and Information Gaps
The driver’s claim involving her dog contrasts with the witness observation of deliberate lane crossing. The pending analysis of Dokken’s blood sample may clarify the role of prescription medication in the crash. Until the laboratory results are released, the extent to which the medications contributed to the driver’s impairment remains undetermined.
