Misdemeanor charges in fatal snowmobile crash

Misdemeanor charges will be filed in a central Minnesota snowmobile crash that killed a police officer.

Douglas County Attorney Chris Karpan said Thursday Mark Ruder will be charged with operating a snowmobile at an unreasonable speed and operating without a valid safety certificate.

Ruder, off-duty Alexandria police officer Pat Callaghan and another friend were riding separate snowmobiles on the Central Lakes Trail last month when Ruder crashed into the back of Callaghan's sled, which was stopped on the trail.

KSAX reports Ruder is scheduled in court March 22. ---

Information from: KSAX-TV

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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