St. Paul driver charged in fatal Arlington–Prosperity crash; charging document cites fast‑food distraction
Prosecutors have filed criminal charges in the fiery single-vehicle crash around 3:25 a.m. at Arlington and Prosperity that killed 26-year-old Qiara “Keke” Gleason, a mother of four who was trapped in the vehicle; her family has launched a GoFundMe and is calling for accountability. Court records identify the driver as Ralohn L. Hare of St. Paul, say she told investigators she was distracted by a fast-food bag, note a court-ordered blood draw is pending, and show prior convictions for driving after revocation.
📌 Key Facts
- The victim was identified as Qiara “Keke” Gleason, 26, a mother of four young children.
- The crash happened about 3:25 a.m. Sunday at Arlington and Prosperity avenues on St. Paul’s East Side.
- The driver was identified as 30-year-old Ralohn L. Hare of St. Paul and was described as an acquaintance of Gleason.
- Prosecutors have filed criminal charges in the case, formalizing the matter and moving it from a suspected-DUI investigation to an active prosecution.
- Charging documents say Hare told investigators she was distracted by a fast-food bag just before the collision and ensuing fire.
- Police say they suspected drunken driving; a court-approved blood draw was taken to test for intoxication and results are pending.
- Hare attempted to pull Gleason from the burning vehicle, cooperated with officers and was hospitalized with a leg injury.
- Court records show Hare has multiple prior driving-related convictions (nine for driving after revocation and one for driving while suspended), and Gleason’s family has launched a GoFundMe while her mother has publicly called for accountability.
📊 Relevant Data
The Greater East Side neighborhood in Saint Paul, Minnesota, has a population that is 30.3% White, 28.4% Asian, 16.5% Black, and 14.3% Hispanic.
Greater East Side neighborhood in Saint Paul, Minnesota (MN), 55106, 55119 detailed profile — City-Data
In Minnesota, distracted driving was a factor in at least 29 fatal crashes in 2024.
Nothing on a phone is worth a life: Commit now to driving distracted-free — Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Black drivers in Ramsey County are four times more likely to be pulled over and nine times more likely to be searched during a stop compared to other drivers.
Police are 33% more likely to issue speeding violations to minority drivers than to White drivers, despite no discernible differences in speeding behaviors or traffic violations between the groups.
Drivers of color more likely to be ticketed than white counterparts, despite similar behavior behind wheel — Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan
📰 Sources (4)
- Prosecutors have filed criminal charges in the St. Paul crash that killed Qiara “Keke” Gleason.
- Charging documents say the driver told investigators they were distracted by a fast‑food bag just before the collision and fire.
- The filing formalizes the case, moving it from a suspected‑DUI investigation to an active prosecution.
- Driver identified as 30-year-old Ralohn L. Hare of St. Paul.
- Crash time and location specified: about 3:25 a.m. Sunday at Arlington & Prosperity avenues on St. Paul’s East Side.
- Police say Hare is suspected of drunken driving; potential criminal vehicular homicide charges are possible.
- Court-approved blood draw was taken to test for intoxication; results pending.
- Hare attempted to pull the passenger from the burning vehicle, cooperated with officers, and was hospitalized with a leg injury.
- Court records show Hare has nine prior convictions for driving after revocation and one for driving while suspended.
- Victim identified as Qiara “Keke” Gleason, 26, a mother of four young children.
- Family quotes from Gleason’s mother, Nichole Castile, describing the impact on the children and calling for accountability.
- Driver described as a 35-year-old woman who was an acquaintance of Gleason; she reported trying to pull Gleason from the vehicle.
- Family has launched a GoFundMe to support care for Gleason’s four children.
- Police reiterate blood draw was conducted under warrant; results are pending.