- Allen Michael Alberts, 33, faces second-degree manslaughter charges after his girlfriend died in a crash following a domestic dispute.
- Nichole Shoultz, 40, was thrown from the pickup truck and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
- Alberts allegedly delayed calling for medical help, fearing violation of a domestic abuse no-contact order from a previous incident.
PERHAM, MINNESOTA — A Minnesota man who was already under a court order to stay away from his girlfriend is now facing a manslaughter charge after authorities say she died following a crash and did not receive immediate medical help. The case echoes broader concerns seen in domestic violence-related investigations, including one where a Miami man was accused of killing his girlfriend’s 2 brothers after they came to check on her.
Allen Michael Alberts, 33, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of his girlfriend, 40-year-old Nichole Shoultz. Authorities say Alberts was also charged with violating a domestic abuse no-contact order.
Crash Happened After Argument
According to court documents cited by local reports, Alberts and Shoultz had been drinking at a bar before heading home during the early morning hours of May 2.
Alberts was allegedly driving his pickup truck when the couple began arguing. Investigators say the argument became physical before Alberts pulled over and got out of the truck.
Shoultz then reportedly got behind the wheel, drove away, and crashed about half a mile from the home they shared.
Girlfriend Thrown From Pickup
Authorities said Shoultz was thrown from the pickup after the crash and landed in a field near Perham, Minnesota.
Alberts allegedly claimed he could not find her at first, so he returned to his house. He later came back in another vehicle, searched again, and found Shoultz unresponsive.
Instead of immediately calling for emergency medical help, police allege Alberts brought Shoultz back to his house and placed her in a bathtub while trying to wake her up.
Alleged Delay in Calling for Help
According to the allegations, nearly 3 hours passed before Alberts called his mother for help moving Shoultz to a couch. Authorities say Shoultz later stopped breathing.
Investigators allege Alberts did not call 911 right away because he was afraid of getting in trouble for violating a no-contact order.
By the time Shoultz was brought to Perham Hospital, she was pronounced dead.
Prior No-Contact Order
Court records cited by investigators show Alberts had been under a no-contact order involving Shoultz after an alleged March 1 domestic assault incident.
In that earlier case, Alberts was accused of strangling Shoultz. He was released on bond days later and ordered to stay away from her.
Authorities now say he violated that order before the fatal crash.
Alberts is being held at the Otter Tail County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for May 18.
To view more cases involving domestic violence allegations and fatal criminal investigations, check out our video here:
