Man Gets 19-year Sentence for Murder in Forest Lake Hit-and-Run

Mar 20, 2025

A man convicted in a deadly hit-and-run at Lakeside Veterans Memorial Park in Forest Lake was sentenced to 19 years in prison Thursday.

Dylan Robert Simmons, who was 20 years old at the time, drove his vehicle into a crowd and struck 17-year-old Darisha Bailey-Vath before fleeing the scene.

Officers and paramedics rushed to the park, but Bailey-Vath died of her injuries shortly after. According to witnesses, a physical altercation between two groups preceded the incident early July 16, 2023.

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Simmons reportedly used his vehicle to drive toward members of the opposing group multiple times, ultimately crashing into the rear of a vehicle, running over Bailey-Vath and injuring three others. He fled the scene but later returned and admitted to driving the vehicle when questioned by police.

A jury returned guilty verdicts for unintentional second-degree murder, criminal vehicular homicide and three counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. Simmons was acquitted of intentional second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter.

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As part of his sentencing on March 20, 2025, Simmons was also ordered to pay $587 in court fees including a $500 fine, victim assistance fees and other court surcharges. Simmons has been jailed since his arrest in 2023.