Charges: Impaired Driver Caused Rochester Head-on Crash

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A motorist has been charged for causing a head-on crash in Rochester. 

See Also: Minnesota Judge Sentenced to Probation for DWI Conviction 

The criminal complaint, filed in Olmsted County Court on Wednesday, says Rochester police responded to the two-vehicle crash around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday.

The suspect vehicle had left the scene but eventually returned, the court document says. 

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Head-on Crash on 41st St. NW Leads to Charges Against Rochester Man

42-year-old Paul William Deng is charged with gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation and two counts of gross misdemeanor DWI. 

The victim told Rochester police she was heading east on 41st St. NW near 11th Ave. NW when an SUV in front of her pulled off to the side of the road. 

She continued eastbound and saw a second SUV approaching her from head-on. That second SUV then hit the victim’s vehicle head-on before leaving the scene, the complaint says. 

The victim complained of chest pain caused by the seatbelt and said her throat was being irritated by airbag smoke. The complaint does not identify the victim and does not say whether or not she was brought to a hospital. 

Deng spoke with officers after returning to the scene. Officers detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Deng, who admitted to drinking vodka prior to the crash, the charges say. 

The Rochester man also displayed multiple impairment indicators. A preliminary breath test measured his blood-alcohol concentration at 0.226, the complaint says. 

Deng was taken to the St. Mary’s Hospital before being booked into the Olmsted County Jail. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance Friday morning.