Fergus Falls Woman Seeks Justice After Mother Killed by Driver Allegedly High on Meth

A Fergus Falls woman is pushing for tougher drug laws after losing her mother in a crash involving a suspected drug-impaired driver.
Ilona Tervola says her mother, Gisela Tervola, would have turned 84 years old this week, if not for a fatal crash near Breckenridge on October 14, 2024. Authorities say Gisela’s vehicle was struck on State Highway 210 by 31-year-old Dillon Todd Church of Parkers Prairie, who allegedly crossed into oncoming traffic while attempting to connect his phone to Bluetooth.
Despite initially denying drug use, law enforcement says a meth pipe was found on Church at the scene. A toxicology report later confirmed high levels of methamphetamine and amphetamine in his system.
Tervola, a mother of four and active community member, died at the scene. Her body was sent to Hennepin County for an autopsy. Two months later, Church was charged with two counts of Vehicular Manslaughter and DWI.
This was not his first drug-related arrest. In 2024 alone, Church was arrested three times in Douglas County. In one incident, deputies say he was found with more than 25 grams of meth and 9 grams of fentanyl concealed during booking.
Ilona Tervola is now working with State Prosecutor Derek Ganzhorn and calling on lawmakers to strengthen penalties for drug-impaired driving.
“Vehicular homicide is murder, plain and simple,” Ilona said. “If we don’t push for stronger drug laws, more families will go through what we did.”
She encourages Minnesotans to contact their legislators and speak up for change.
Church’s pre-trial hearing is scheduled for April 15, with the trial set to begin on May 7.