A mug shot of Chad Seitz, courtesy of the Stearns County Jail.
The justice system of Minnesota gave a stark reminder this past week of how un-serious it is with punishing violent crime.
On Thursday, March 13, 2025, Chad Seitz of Coon Rapids was given a 73-month prison sentence after he was convicted of driving under the influence of drugs while killing a Belgrade mother on her way to day care on January 22, 2024. The accident, which took place at almost the exact geographical center on Highway 55 between Brooten and Belgrade, claimed the life of Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Class of 2001 graduate Cassie Mithaugen. The 41-year old mom was driving her step-daughter to the Jaguar Kids Connection day care at B-B-E elementary in Brooten when, shortly after 6:40 a.m. that morning, her 2012 Honda Fit was struck in a near-head on crash by Seitz. Seitz, who was also driving on an expired driver's license, was driving a 2000 GMC Envoy SUV.
At the time of the vehicle crash, Seitz's rap sheet featured impaired driving, controlled substance offenses, burglary, assault and shoplifting dated back to at least 2006. Records described him as a 52-year old man from Coon Rapids.
Other background: at the March 13 sentencing, Stearns County District Court Judge Heidi Schultz gave Seitz to 73 months in prison with credit for 417 days he has spent in jail since the morning of the collision that killed Mithaugen. In December, Seitz pleaded guilty to charges of Criminal Vehicular Homicide and Criminal Vehicular Operation While Under the Influence of Drugs.
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