Rochester Motorcyclist’s Death: Chatfield Driver Pleads Guilty

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A trial scheduled to begin next week in the case of a Chatfield man charged with causing the death of a Rochester motorcyclist two years ago was canceled today due to a plea agreement.

According to the criminal complaint in the case, 59-year-old Nicholas Sprau was driving north on Highway 52 near Chatfield on the night of September 10, 2022 when he collided with a southbound motorcycle when he attempted to turn left into his driveway. The collision claimed the life of 36-year-old Rick Hutton.

The court document indicated that a blood test on the samples taken from Sprau following the fatal crash measured his blood-alcohol-concentration at more than .17, which is more than double the legal limit. Sprau and his passenger were not injured.

The criminal complaint includes the findings of a crash reconstruction investigation conducted by the State Patrol, and estimated Hutton's motorcycle was traveling at around 40 mph when he crashed into the passenger side of Sprau's car. It was estimated that Hutton was traveling at nearly 60 mph when he hit the brakes into the attempt to avoid the collision.

Sprau was charged with three counts of criminal vehicular homicide, along with gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor counts of DWI.

Under the terms of his plea agreement, Sprau admitted to one count of criminal vehicular homicide in exchange for the dismissal of the other charges. The plea deal recommends a prison sentence not to exceed 41 months. It includes a statement that Sprau would withdraw from the plea deal if the judge in the case orders a sentence exceeding 41 months.

He is scheduled to be sentenced in March.