A tragic car crash in Anoka County has ended a life and raised serious concerns about the dangers of impaired driving. Aloysius Kenneth Johnson, a 48-year-old Minnesota man, now faces charges related to a fatal collision that claimed the life of 74-year-old Alice Marie Stack.
This devastating incident occurred on May 16 and involved Johnson allegedly racing his wife home after consuming alcoholic beverages at a local bar. The fatal crash has not only devastated the victim’s family and community but also serves as a grim reminder of the deadly consequences of driving under the influence.
The Fatal Collision and Immediate Aftermath
On the evening of May 16, at approximately 5:45 p.m., Anoka County deputies responded to a serious crash at the intersection of 165th Avenue Northwest and 7th Avenue Northwest in the city of Andover.
Upon arrival, deputies found two vehicles involved in the collision: a Ford F-350 truck and a Kia Soul SUV. The SUV was driven by Alice Marie Stack, a 74-year-old woman who tragically sustained fatal injuries in the crash.
According to reports, the Ford truck was found off the road, lodged in a ditch, while the Kia Soul remained at the scene. However, the driver of the Ford truck was not immediately present at the site of the accident.
A witness told police that the truck driver fled the scene on foot, running into a nearby wooded area. This behavior raised immediate red flags for authorities, prompting a search for the individual.
Shortly after, officers spotted a man matching the witness’s description walking along Valley Drive and stopped him. The man was identified as Aloysius Kenneth Johnson. Investigators noted clear signs of intoxication—Johnson exhibited poor balance, slurred speech, and the strong odor of alcohol. These observations led deputies to obtain a warrant for a blood sample, which was collected at the scene to determine his blood alcohol concentration at the time of the crash.
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Alice Marie Stack was removed from her vehicle and transported to a hospital, but despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries. Her death marks a heartbreaking loss for her family and the local community.
The Circumstances Leading Up to the Crash
The events leading up to the crash paint a disturbing picture of reckless decision-making and impaired judgment. Johnson’s wife, who was with him before the accident, provided crucial information to law enforcement. She stated that she met Johnson at the SRO Bar in Oak Grove, where he had been eating and drinking vodka sodas.
Though she offered to drive him home, Johnson refused her help. Instead, he insisted on driving himself, with his wife following behind in her vehicle. According to her account, Johnson appeared intent on beating her home and chose to speed up, taking an alternate route in an apparent race to get there first. The wife also admitted that she did not witness the actual crash, leaving details of the final moments unknown to her.
During questioning, Johnson admitted to having consumed three or four drinks at the bar before getting behind the wheel. Despite this acknowledgment, he denied remembering the crash itself, a common claim among individuals involved in serious accidents while under the influence. The discrepancy between Johnson’s admission and his memory loss raises concerns about his level of impairment and decision-making at the time.
Adding to the gravity of the situation is Johnson’s prior legal history. Court documents revealed that he had a previous conviction for driving while intoxicated (DWI). This fact underscores the repeated risk he posed to public safety by choosing to drive after drinking. Repeat offenses of this nature are often linked to heightened dangers on the road and harsher legal consequences.
Legal Charges and Broader Implications
Aloysius Kenneth Johnson is now facing serious criminal charges related to the fatal crash that killed Alice Marie Stack. While the exact charges have not been fully detailed in public reports, they are likely to include vehicular homicide or manslaughter, as well as driving under the influence. These charges reflect the severity of the consequences of impaired driving and the legal system’s response to such incidents.
The case highlights the devastating impact impaired drivers can have on innocent lives. Alice Marie Stack, a senior citizen, was simply going about her day when her life was cut short by a reckless and avoidable crash. Her death is a tragic reminder of how one poor decision can ripple outward, affecting families, friends, and entire communities.
It also serves as a cautionary tale regarding the dangers of driving under the influence, especially for repeat offenders. Despite having a previous DWI conviction, Johnson made the choice to drink and drive again, resulting in a fatal tragedy. This pattern raises important questions about enforcement, rehabilitation, and community education on the risks of impaired driving.
Law enforcement agencies and public safety advocates often emphasize that alcohol-related crashes are preventable. Programs aimed at reducing drunk driving through awareness campaigns, stricter penalties, and designated driver initiatives play a critical role in preventing such tragedies. However, the persistence of these incidents underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and support for those struggling with alcohol abuse.
In addition to the criminal case, this incident may also prompt discussion about road safety in Anoka County and the need for targeted measures at dangerous intersections or during peak traffic hours. Community members may call for enhanced law enforcement patrols, improved signage, or public education programs to reduce similar incidents in the future.
The fatal crash involving Aloysius Kenneth Johnson and Alice Marie Stack is a somber chapter in Anoka County’s recent history. It reminds us all of the profound consequences of impaired driving and the importance of making responsible choices behind the wheel. As the legal process unfolds, the hope remains that justice will be served, and that the memory of Alice Marie Stack inspires greater commitment to road safety and prevention of future tragedies.