Federal immigration agents have arrested a Brooklyn man in connection with a rural Minnesota crash that killed a veteran semi driver, a case that has bounced back into the spotlight because of an iPad still playing an English-lesson video at the scene.
Authorities say 32-year-old Georgii Gabiev faces criminal vehicular homicide and reckless driving charges stemming from a March 5, 2024 collision in western Minnesota. Investigators concluded he ran a stop sign, slammed into a semi and killed its driver, 61-year-old Timmy J. Tarnowski. Federal agents took Gabiev into custody in Brooklyn on June 9, and officials say he will remain in ICE custody while removal proceedings play out.
Crash, Charges And What Prosecutors Say
State troopers were called just after 5 p.m. to the intersection of Minnesota Highway 7 and Chippewa County Road 4, where they found a semi on fire and its driver ejected and dead at the scene, according to the Star Tribune. Prosecutors charged Gabiev with criminal vehicular homicide and reckless driving, alleging he blew through a stop sign before the deadly impact.
The criminal complaint, as described by the Star Tribune, notes that an iPad inside Gabiev's pickup was still running a YouTube English-lesson video when troopers arrived, a detail prosecutors say underscores how distracted he was behind the wheel.
ICE Arrest In Brooklyn Renews The Case
FOX 9 reports that ICE law enforcement arrested Gabiev in Brooklyn on June 9, 2026, and that the Department of Homeland Security says he was in the United States illegally. According to the outlet, Gabiev had already pleaded guilty to criminal vehicular homicide in Minnesota and served jail time tied to the crash.
FOX 9 also reports that DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin personally called Tarnowski's widow to let her know about the arrest. Federal officials, as cited by the station, say Gabiev will stay in ICE custody while immigration authorities move forward with removal proceedings.
Sentence, Probation And The Criminal Outcome
Gabiev pleaded guilty and was sentenced in Chippewa County District Court in July 2024. As reported by the Star Tribune, the judge stayed a one-year prison term and instead ordered six months behind bars followed by three years of probation.
The court also required Gabiev to complete a safe-driving course and pay restitution to Tarnowski's survivors, according to the Star Tribune's coverage of the sentencing.
What Comes Next
With federal immigration authorities now on the case, Gabiev faces a separate round of deportation and removal proceedings on top of the state criminal sentence already imposed, according to FOX 9.
Officials say he remains in ICE detention and will appear as directed by both the courts and immigration authorities as the removal process moves ahead.
