"Sex while driving" sends Minn. man to prison for fatal crash

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Mark Anders Chalin

/ Blue Earth County Jail via WCCO

(CBS) MINNEAPOLIS - Mark Chalin, a 24-year-old man who caused a fatal crash by driving while having sex, was sentenced to more than four years in prison for the collision that killed two people, CBS Minnesota reports.

Chalin, of St. James, who was accused of criminal vehicular homicide, made a tearful plea for justice in Blue Earth County Court Monday. He said he would trade his life for the lives of his victims "in a heartbeat."

Authorities say that on Aug. 7, 2011, Chalin was driving a Chevy Cobalt eastbound on County Road 90 when it crashed head-on with an Oldsmobile Alero heading westbound, CBS Minnesota reports.

The driver of the Oldsmobile, 35-year-old Joanna Martin of Lakefield, and a passenger in the Chalin's Chevy, 23-year-old Amber Menezes, of Mankato, were both killed.

Chalin claimed he did not remember anything about what led to the crash. Witnesses told investigators Menezes was straddling Chalin while he was driving, blocking his view of the road, according to CBS Minnesota.

Chalin's car slammed into Martin's vehicle at about 60 to 65 mph, investigators contend. Reconstruction of the scene shows Chalin's car crossed in front of Martin's and made no attempt to stop, the station says.

In October, Chalin took an Alford plea on on the charges against him, which denies any wrongdoing but acknowledges the prosecution could likely prove guilt.

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by thatsbullcbs December 12, 2012 2:45 PM EST

What exactly did he expect to happen?? Having sex, can't see the road...while going 65 mph??? Bet he thought he was living dangerously cool...like in the movies. *******

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by thatsbullcbs December 12, 2012 2:47 PM EST: BTW, those ******s above, I typed "Dumb@$$"


by FormerUSMCSergeant December 11, 2012 10:17 PM EST: Witnesses told investigators Menezes was straddling Chalin while he was driving, blocking his view of the road...
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Two terminally stupid people.
Pulling over would have too difficult, apparently.; Reply to this comment


by SUZAMBA December 11, 2012 8:14 PM EST: Only four years? The price of life doesn't amount to much it seems.; Reply to this comment


by nytosf December 11, 2012 6:37 PM EST: If he had killed one of my kid's doing this, I would hope he'd come out of that jail as soon as possable. Yep ! Let him out.; Reply to this comment


by boforillo December 11, 2012 6:31 PM EST: Gee, if he was an unlicensed tour bus driver in New York he would have only been sentenced to 4 days in prison. That's just 2 days per each death. Maybe they should have checked into the no tell motel. Would have be a lot cheaper!; Reply to this comment


by tsigili December 11, 2012 5:31 PM EST: That is the epitome of reckless driving. He deserves his sentence and more.; Reply to this comment


by jeffinpa1234 December 11, 2012 5:21 PM EST: Now Chalin will be the one being straddled for the next 4 years!; Reply to this comment


by shazbat34 December 11, 2012 5:02 PM EST: If you text or talk on the cell phone while driving, you are just as guilty as this guy. And yes, I do these things myself on occasion--I am not holier than thou...just a bit luckier I suppose.; Reply to this comment


by nohater December 11, 2012 4:56 PM EST: two human beings dead, one who was just as guilty as the one sentenced to 4 years. seems odd, 2 years per dead person or 4 years for one dead person since one of the dead caused the accident and died herself. justice is strange.; Reply to this comment

by MIO42 December 11, 2012 4:46 PM EST

Did I read this right?
He was having Sex while driving ?

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by ralphing December 11, 2012 5:39 PM EST: Yep, his girlfriend was on top, riding him, while he drove the car. She was actually married to another man at the time, and was cheating on him. I'm guessing she had to have sex while commuting home so her husband wouldn't get suspicious where she had been.


by micmac666 December 11, 2012 5:51 PM EST: "Witnesses told investigators Menezes was straddling Chalin while he was driving, blocking his view of the road, according to CBS Minnesota."