Izak Schmerhorn (Otter Tail County Detention Facility, Fergus Falls)
NEW YORK MILLS, Minn. (KFGO) – A New York Mills, Minnesota man has been sentenced in a drunk driving crash that killed his 18-year-old passenger.
Izak Schermerhorn was sentenced for criminal vehicular homicide on Jan. 12. Four other charges were dismissed, including driving in a negligent manner, driving under the influence and driving negligently while under the influence.
Schermerhorn was sentenced to serve six months in the Otter Tail County Jail, followed by 10 years of supervised probation.
Otter Tail County deputies say Schermerhorn admitted to drinking and driving recklessly prior to the crash in May of 2025.
Deputies responded to the rollover near Wadena and emergency responders said an individual, later identified as 18-year-old Blake Unger, was pinned under the pickup and was already dead. Unger had recently graduated from New York Mills High School.
Court documents say Schermerhorn told investigators that for the past year, he had abstained from alcohol, but decided to celebrate after graduating.
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