Left: Connor Michael Iversen (Hennepin County Sheriff”s Office). Right: Lilyana Loycano (GoFundMe).
A teenager from Minnesota, already detained for a separate violent felony charge, now faces accusations of vehicular homicide due to his involvement in a fatal car crash earlier this year in February.
Connor Michael Iversen, 18, was incarcerated on felony assault charges related to a stabbing incident in March. Just prior to this incident, on the morning of February 26, Iversen was driving his GMC Sierra pickup when he allegedly ignored a stop sign, resulting in a collision with an SUV holding six members of the Loycano family. Tragically, 11-year-old Lilyana Loycano sustained critical injuries and succumbed a few days later.
In a probable cause affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime, an eyewitness reportedly observed Iversen’s vehicle ignore a four-way stop sign. Authorities indicated that their investigation found Iversen was using his phone just before the accident occurred.
On Monday, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced the new charges against Iversen, stating, “Following a complete review since we received this case in mid-July, we believe we have made the right charging decision. Lilyana’s family should still have her with them. This incident is a stark reminder of the severe consequences reckless driving can impose on our communities.”
The probable cause affidavit further claims that Iversen disregarded warning signs leading up to the stop sign. He was allegedly traveling at 63 mph in a 50 mph zone. Court documents also detail that Iversen was arrested in December 2024 after trying to elude police in his vehicle.
Law&Crime examined the affidavit concerning that previous case, which mentioned that Iversen did not pull over for police after they observed him performing dangerous driving maneuvers, such as “passing in a no-passing zone, using the shoulder, erratic driving, nearly colliding with other vehicles, and speeding.” During the ensuing chase, Iversen reportedly reached speeds of up to 100 mph.
After deploying stop sticks, Iversen crashed and fled the scene on foot. He was apprehended by police and read his rights. During an interview, he allegedly told police that he “gets too crazy” when he drives and said that the Chevy Impala he was driving, which was registered to his mother, was the third vehicle he had crashed.
Iversen was charged with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, a felony.
Now facing charges in connection with three felony cases, Iversen remains in custody in Hennepin County on $150,000 bond for the vehicular homicide charge. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 8.
