Paynesville man faces charges in teens' death - West Central Tribune
Benjamin Lee Tate, 27, made his first appearance Thursday in Meeker County District Court. Bail was set at $500,000 cash or bond for unconditional release and $250,000 cash or bond for conditional release. A third person in the car, Kathleen J. Prestidge, 16, of Montrose, was injured and taken to Meeker Memorial Hospital in Litchfield. According to a report from the Minnesota State Patrol, Tate was driving his 1998 Chevrolet pickup south on State Highway 24 and Monson was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Lumina north on the highway. Prestidge, who had been riding in the front passenger seat, and Tate were taken to Meeker Memorial Hospital. Prestidge was treated for a laceration to her leg and severe bruising from the car’s airbags and seatbelt, according to the criminal complaint filed against Tate. The trooper also saw that Tate had bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol on his breath, according to the complaint. Tate was unable to perform field sobriety tests, and a breath test indicated a blood-alcohol concentration higher than the legal limit. Tate was taken to the Meeker County Jail and. Source: www.wctrib.com
