FOSTER COUNTY, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A guilty plea has been entered by the man accused of hitting and killing a teen with his SUV last fall after a street dance.

42-year-old Shannon Brandt pleaded guilty in court Thursday to one felony count of manslaughter in the death of 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson on Sept. 18, 2022 in McHenry, ND.

Court documents say Brandt called 911 and stated he hit Ellingson because he was being threatened. Brandt admitted to drinking before the incident. The transcript from the 9-1-1 call states Brandt claimed he was trying to get away from Ellingson before the crash.

Just before the crash, court documents state Ellingson called his mom and asked if they knew who Brandt was. She said yes, and told her son she was on her way to pick him up. A short time later, court documents say Ellingson called his mom again to say that “he” or “they” were chasing him. It was after the second call Ellingson could not be reached again.

Brandt will be sentenced at a later date. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

Foster County, ND –

On May 18, 2023, Shannon Brandt entered a guilty plea to the charge of Manslaughter. The State dismissed Count 2, Leaving the Scene of an Accident. A Presentence Investigation was ordered by the Court. The Defendant shall remain on bond pending Sentencing at a later date. All conditions of the Defendant’s bond shall remain in effect, including house arrest.

A factual basis for the charge was provided as follows: On September 17, 2022, the defendant was consuming alcohol in McHenry, Foster County, North Dakota. Sometime in the early morning hours of September 18, 2022, the defendant was engaged in a verbal argument with the victim, C.E.; As a result of the argument, the defendant was recklessly driving his black 2003 Ford Explorer in Foster County. The Defendant recklessly drove his vehicle and recklessly struck the victim, knocking him down and recklessly drove over the victim’s torso and legs thereby causing the death of C.E.

Foster County State’s Attorney, Kara Brinster, and the Foster County Sheriffs Dept. are grateful for the assistance in this investigation by North Dakota Highway Patrol, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Carrington Police Dept. and others. Thank you.