Driver Charged for Crashing Minivan into Rochester Home, Injuring Two Adults

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The driver of a minivan was impaired when he crashed into a Rochester home earlier this year. 

Read More: Two People Injured After Minivan Crashes Into Rochester Home 

That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court on Tuesday. First responders were called to the scene of the crash around 6:30 a.m. on March 20. 

Rochester police said the minivan crashed into a house in the 2400 block of 18th Ln. SE. The complaint says the front end of the minivan had broken through the wall of a bedroom in the lower level of the split-level home. 

An eyewitness indicated that the driver of the minivan sped through the intersection leaving into the cul-de-sac without slowing and nearly collided with their vehicle before crashing into the house. 

Driver of Minivan Charged for Injuring Man & Woman After Crashing into Southeast Rochester Home

Police said two people who were asleep inside of the home were injured. The newly filed charges say a man and woman were sleeping on a lofted bed attached to the wall of the home when the van hit the house. 

The man was found by his father lying on the bedroom floor. The court document says he fell from the bed, was seen by his father shaking and had a delayed arousal to the van crashing into the home. 

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He suffered a head injury and showed symptoms consistent with a concussion, the complaint says. 

The woman suffered multiple spinal fractures, according to the complaint. 

Complaint identifies Driver

37-year-old Matthew David Bute of Rochester was identified as the driver. The complaint says Bute also suffered injuries in the collision. 

An officer who spoke with Bute reported smelling the odor of an alcoholic beverage and suspected him of being impaired by alcohol or drugs, the charges say. 

Bute was not put through field sobriety testing due to head, neck and head pain and was brought to a hospital for an evaluation, according to the complaint. Authorities obtained a sample of his blood and sent it to the state crime lab for testing. 

Evidence of Cocaine Use

The blood test determined Bute had used cocaine prior to the crash. He also told police he had consumed “some beers” the night before the incident, the court document says. 

Court records indicate Bute has two prior DWI convictions in Wabasha and Olmsted Counties. 

See Also: Rochester Man Facing Drug Charges Following Cocaine Bust

Bute has been charged by summons charged with four counts of felony criminal vehicular operation. His first court appearance has not yet been scheduled.