A Minnesota man allegedly drove drunk and left his girlfriend for dead after she jumped out of his moving truck during an argument — and police claim he never called 911.
Johnathan James Schafer, 35, is accused of failing to stop and remain at the scene when he had reason to believe someone had died. He is also charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.
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According to a probable cause arrest affidavit filed by the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office, Schafer’s mother called 911 at 9:18 p.m. on May 15 to report that her son had just called to say that his girlfriend, 23-year-old Julia Marie Marthaler, had “jumped out of his truck.” About five minutes later, dispatch received another call from a woman who said her friend “Johnnie” had given her the same information.
According to the affidavit, the callers reported that Schafer told them Marthaler was near a cemetery and that he was in the parking lot of a dog park in Becker, about eight minutes away. They also claimed Schafer told them he had gone to check on his girlfriend, who was unresponsive. He sounded intoxicated, they allegedly told dispatchers.
Cops arrived at the dog park and discovered Schafer talking on the phone while sitting in the driver’s seat of his truck. When cops arrived to speak with him, they detected alcohol on his breath, according to the affidavit. Police found blood on the truck’s door and Schafer’s hand, as well as a shotgun in the back seat. Schafer was on the phone and refused to end the call, according to the affidavit.
Schafer eventually agreed to show officers where Marthaler had allegedly jumped. He drove to the 5800 block of 140th Avenue Southeast, outside Becker. Police discovered Marthaler in the grass a few feet from the road. She suffered “severe head trauma” and was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
Detectives spoke with the people who called 911 and determined that Schafer spoke with them for more than 42 minutes total. Officers noted that he never called 911 during that time.
Following his Miranda warnings, Schafer told investigators that he and his girlfriend had gone to a bar for dinner and drinks earlier in the evening. After leaving the establishment, he stated that Marthaler did not want to go home, so he drove her around on back roads. According to the affidavit, they had an argument and she jumped out of the truck while he was driving down the road. Schafer stated that he stopped to check on her, but she didn’t respond. When he saw headlights approaching, he “panicked” and ran back into his truck to drive away.
Police are awaiting a blood test from Schafer to determine his blood alcohol level. They arrested him, and he is still in the Sherburne County Jail without bond. His next court date is set for June 18. Schafer, who did not have an attorney listed in court documents, faces up to three years in prison if convicted. Deputies say he may face additional charges at a later date.
According to records, Schafer was on probation for violating a domestic violence protection order earlier this year.