Paul Donahue Obituary, Roseau, MN Accident Death – Rodney Werk and Shayleigh McKay Charged Following Fatal Roseau County Motorcycle Crash

Authorities have filed felony charges against two drivers after a deadly motorcycle crash in rural northwest Minnesota that claimed the life of 49-year-old Paul Donahue of Badger. The incident occurred on the evening of May 7 at the intersection of County Road 124 and 420th Avenue.

According to Minnesota State Patrol and Roseau County deputies, first responders arrived around 8:24 p.m. to find Donahue unresponsive in the roadway. Attempts at CPR were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators reported that Donahue’s motorcycle, traveling approximately 60 mph, collided with the driver’s side of a white Chevrolet pickup.

Witnesses told troopers that a red car later arrived at the scene, interacted with the pickup driver, and then left without contacting authorities. The white pickup was identified as belonging to 53-year-old Rodney Werk of Roseau, and the red car was matched to a Kia driven by 21-year-old Shayleigh McKay, also of Roseau.

Werk faces criminal vehicular homicide, felony hit-and-run, and two gross-misdemeanor DWI charges. A preliminary breath test indicated a blood-alcohol content of .151, and his prior 2019 DWI conviction in Red Lake County enhances the new charges.

McKay is charged separately with felony failure to stop at a collision involving death and two gross-misdemeanor DWI counts. She was stopped by authorities later that evening for driving without headlights or taillights, failed sobriety tests, and registered a .16 BAC. McKay stated she saw the pickup at the scene but denied witnessing the motorcycle crash.

Both Werk and McKay are currently held in custody pending initial court appearances. Court documents were filed May 11 in Roseau County District Court.

Disclaimer: Charges are allegations; individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.