Driver who killed teen on Hwy. 252 posts his totaled car online with smiley face

July 31--A 16-year-old Brooklyn Center boy clung to life for days before dying after a suspected drunken driver, without a valid license, fled one crash on a north metro highway and ran into the teen's car down the highway moments later, authorities said.

Jason F. McCarthy, of Brooklyn Center, remained Wednesday in North Memorial Medical Center, but his family posted on Caring Bridge this week that "the injuries to Jason during the impact of the accident were too much for him to survive. Jason is currently on life support so family can get here and say goodbye."

The patrol confirmed the death Tuesday of McCarthy, who would have been a junior at Champlin Park High School, where he intended to return to the cross-country team for a third season.

The back-to-back crashes occurred midafternoon on July 22 along Hwy. 252 in Brooklyn Park, with both involving Michael J. Vanwagner, 24, of Coon Rapids, according to the State Patrol.

On the Saturday before McCarthy died, Vanwagner posted photos of what was left of his vehicle on his Facebook page and wrote, "That's her front end after I got done with her lol." He signed that message with a smiley face.

Under a second photo, he commented: "I'm all good slept a day in the hospital then came home and did yard work lol."

Vanwagner acknowledged posting the images, which he has kept online with the comments, and said in an interview Wednesday, "I didn't even know I hit somebody. I just thought I hit something."

It was on Wednesday, he added, that he learned that "another kid died" as he was heading to a friend's home in north Minneapolis.

"Police came and arrested me [Wednesday] morning and let me out because the charges won't be coming for months," he said.

Vanwagner said he realizes "I know I'm looking at spending time in prison, so I'm trying to spend as much time as I can with my 18-month-old."

McCarthy was an honor student and also played bass guitar in the high school band and with friends in a rock band called the Crak Pots, said his aunt Brigid Klaysmat. "He loved trying everything and had a very adventurous spirit and a wonderful sense of humor," Klaysmat said.

Vanwagner sideswiped a vehicle at Hwy. 252 and 73rd Avenue, the patrol said. He continued south and then hit McCarthy's car from behind, leaving both cars totaled.

The state trooper who caught up with Vanwagner after the second collision reported that the "odor of alcoholic beverage was noticed," said Patrol Sgt. Jesse Grabow.

Vanwagner was taken to North Memorial for his injuries, and a blood-alcohol test was conducted, Grabow said. Results are pending as are charges against Vanwagner.

Also, state records show that Vanwagner was driving on a revoked license, according to a Department of Public Safety official. His driving record is littered with violations, including careless driving and twice driving after having his license suspended. Vanwagner said his license was revoked for driving without insurance.

Vanwagner is on probation for a felony conviction in April for terroristic threats. Along with abstaining from alcohol and illicit drugs, the conditions of his sentence include that he remain law-abiding.

Paul Walsh -- 612-673-4482

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