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CARLTON, Minn. — An Iron Range man allegedly admitted he was sleepy and playing "air guitar" when he struck and killed a pedestrian in Moose Lake last week.

Brent James Keranen, 21, of Pengilly, had been cited hours earlier after hitting a Minnesota State Patrol squad car as he left the Twin Cities, where he had stayed up "very late" the night before drinking with friends, according to a criminal complaint.

Authorities said Keranen was headed home when he "veered" off striking and killing the pedestrian, whose identity has yet to be released by authorities.

A roadside, preliminary breath test reportedly placed Keranen's blood-alcohol concentration at 0.06, which is slightly below the legal limit for driving in Minnesota.

The complaint, filed late Friday in State District Court, says the victim had just left the Dollar General store on foot and was walking along the northbound shoulder of Highway 73 when he was hit by the vehicle, which was traveling in the same direction. The Carlton County Sheriff's Office reported the man was found in a ditch and pronounced dead at the scene.

Keranen, according to the complaint, told investigators he was "working a lot of hours" and had been up late drinking alcohol. He admitted, and police were able to confirm, that he had fallen asleep on the drive north and "struck or contacted a trooper’s squad vehicle with his vehicle when leaving the metro area."

The complaint says Keranen told Carlton County law enforcement that he registered a 0.066 on a breath test at that point, receiving a ticket before continuing on his way. He allegedly acknowledged he was tired but said he stopped and consumed a 5-Hour Energy drink.

Keranen allegedly explained that while driving through Moose Lake, a "good song" began playing on the radio, prompting him to mimic guitar playing with his hands. Suddenly, he said, the airbags deployed, though he claimed not to know if he had hit a person.

But the complaint says he went on to make a statement that he was “looking down and jamming out a bit and next thing you know I hit somebody." He also allegedly said his cruise control was set at 52 mph in the posted 40 mph zone.

Officers at the scene suspected alcohol impairment, and while the preliminary test came in below the limit, a search warrant was obtained for a blood draw. The sample was sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, where results are pending.

Keranen is charged with a felony count of criminal vehicular homicide for causing a death while operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner.

Court records indicate he was convicted of violating the state's hands-free cellphone driving law in Chisago County earlier this year, as well as driving 95 mph in a 60 mph zone in Itasca County last year.

Judge Rebekka Stumme ordered a $250,000 bond or $25,000 cash option for unconditional release. She also set a $150,000 bond or $15,000 cash option with conditions.

Keranen was released from the Carlton County Jail on Friday night after arraignment. He is scheduled to make another court appearance on Monday, April 1.

Court documents do not identify the victim, or list an age or hometown, and the Carlton County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to a request Monday for that information.