Updated charges expected after occupant in crash on St. Paul light rail tracks dies

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Kanyi Lee Williams

One occupant of a car that crashed into a utility pole on light rail tracks in St. Paul, Minn., Friday has died, according to a police spokesperson.

Kanyi Lee Williams was allegedly driving the car and later blew a preliminary breath test of 0.118, resulting in four counts of criminal vehicular operation for the 22-year-old--though the Ramsey County Attorney's office said it expects to update those charges now that Deshawn Lloyd Perry has died.

Three other occupants were injured in the crash, including one person who needed surgery for a fractured skull and bleeding in her brain. Another occupant remains in stable condition at the hospital while the fourth has been released.

According to the criminal complaint, a witness told officers she saw Williams pass multiple cars on University in his Honda CRV when he suddenly "jerked" to the left and drove into the pole.

While at the hospital, Williams told police he tried to go around a car in front of him, overcorrected and hit the pole.

After the crash, officers noticed Williams smelled of alcohol, he was slurring his speech, and his eyes were bloodshot and watery. Williams said he had "a glass or two" of hard liquor two hours before the crash, though his breath test was well above the legal limit.

Later during an interview Williams said he saw another car coming into his lane and "freaked out," making a series of "hard" turns before hitting the pole. According to the complaint, he said he had "failed his friends and deserves whatever punishment he receives."