The Dakota County attorney’s office issued an arrest warrant for a 59-year-old man from Rosemount this spring for his role in a serious four-vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 52. His arrest took place in July, and he remains jailed at the Dakota County Jail with bail set at $250,000.
The man has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 1979. This includes 17 DWI convictions, theft, carrying a gun without a permit, disorderly conduct and domestic assault. He currently faces extensive charges that include first-degree DWI, gross-misdemeanor for driving with a canceled license and felony criminal vehicular operation that caused great bodily harm.
On the day of the accident, witnesses reported seeing the man driving a truck with a trailer erratically and at a high speed. When traffic halted on U.S 52 near 210th Street East, his truck slammed into the rear of a vehicle at about 50 mph. Injuries suffered by crash victims included spinal cord injuries, broken bones and internal bleeding. Police officers had the man perform a field sobriety test and then obtained a search warrant for a blood sample. He tested positive for methamphetamine. The Dakota County District Court has scheduled his next appearance for the fall.
A person can be charged with a DWI for driving after consuming alcohol or drugs. Before responding to criminal charges, the alleged offender could consult an attorney. A defense strategy may arise if police made mistakes while conducting a sobriety test or testing equipment was not functioning correctly. If evidence remains valid, then an attorney could strive to negotiate a plea deal for a reduced charge and request a sentence without jail time.
