Brody Sotona - victim of a drunk driver in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Brody Sotona

Brody Sotona, age 20, died on September 9, 2013, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Brody was killed when the car he was driving was struck by another driver who was fleeing the State Patrol.

The State Patrol was pursuing a vehicle because they suspected that the driver was drunk or doped up.

Connor Macklin, age 24, who was a passenger in Brody's car was seriously injured in the collision.

Brody's family are devastated by his death and have stated that he would still be alive if a State Patrol trooper hadn’t chosen to chase the suspect through downtown Minneapolis streets. They questioned why there was a chase when the officer had the license number and could

Yia Her

have apprehended the man at his home.

Police officials have responded with the statement: Drunk drivers kill over 100 people a year in Minnesota. Do you just let him go or do you try to stop him?

Yia Her, age 34, of St. Paul, Minnesota, was stopped by a State Trooper shortly before 1:00 a.m. on September 9, 2013. He had a suspended license and took off when he was pulled over. A three minute chase followed during which time the tragic collision with Brody Sotona's vehicle occurred.

Yia Her was hospitalized with non-critical injuries. He has previous convictions for assault and domestic abuse issues.

Brody was from Spring Valley, Wisconsin and was a musician. He graduated from

Father, place Brody on
the Stairway to Heaven

Spring Valley High School in 2010. He was the school's Prom King that year.

In 2011, he enrolled at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, majoring in sound arts.

Brody and his passenger, Connor, were members of the band Crush, which plays rock, punk and alternative music in the Twin Cities area. Brody sang and played bass.

Family members stated that Brody was a fun loving young man who enjoyed life to the fullest. He had a passion for music and for his band. He will be forever missed.

Friends describe him as a happy person who had a future which was cut short.

Brody is survived by many loving friends and relatives.

Pray for justice for Brody. Amen.

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and gone the next. Amen.

God save us from the drunk and doped up drivers. They are killing us, Father. Amen. 

Pray that Brody is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.