A 19-year-old Eagan man has admitted guilt in the wreck that killed 11-year-old Lilyana Loycano and injured several members of her family at a rural Independence intersection last year. The fatal collision happened Feb. 26, 2025, at County Road 6 and County Road 83. Under a plea deal now in front of a judge, the defendant faces a 44-month prison sentence if the agreement is approved, with sentencing set for April 15, 2026.
Teen Enters Vehicular Homicide Plea
Conner Michael Iversen of Eagan pleaded guilty Monday to one count of criminal vehicular homicide, according to KSTP. The charge stems from the Feb. 26, 2025 crash that left fifth-grader Lilyana Loycano with life-threatening injuries she did not survive.
What Investigators Found
Court filings say Iversen drove through a four-way stop and was traveling at least 10 miles per hour over the posted limit in the moments before the crash. Investigators later obtained warrants for his cellphone and allege records show it was in use "in the moments leading up to the crash," according to CBS Minnesota.
Plea Deal Tied To Other Cases
The plea agreement calls for a 44-month prison term and would result in prosecutors dropping charges in three unrelated criminal cases if a judge signs off, KSTP reports. One of those cases accuses Iversen of stabbing a man in the leg at a park in Golden Valley.
Grief And Remembrance
The Loycano family and neighbors have gathered for fundraisers and memorial events in Lilyana’s honor. She was a fifth-grade student at Grandview Middle School, according to the Star Tribune. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said her office conducted a thorough review before filing charges and called the case a reminder of the “devastating impact dangerous driving has on our communities,” according to a statement from the county attorney’s office (Hennepin County Attorney).
What Comes Next In Court
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 15, 2026, when a Hennepin County judge will decide whether to accept the guilty plea and the 44-month prison recommendation, per CBS Minnesota. Court records indicate the criminal vehicular homicide case remains active, and attorneys for both sides are expected to appear at the April hearing.
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