A Rochester Man Accused of Causing a Wrong-Way Crash on Hwy. 52 is Now Wanted

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- An arrest warrant has been issued for the man accused of causing an injury crash by driving the wrong way on Hwy. 52 in Rochester earlier this year. 

See Also: Elderly Driver Injured in Crash at Dangerous Rochester Intersection 

Authorities requested the warrant due to the “the significant delay occasioned by a summons, the serious injuries caused by this crash, and the immediate risk to public safety,” the court filing says 

The state was granted the warrant on Wednesday. 

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Arrest Warrant Issued for Suspected Drunk Driver Who Caused Wrong-Way Crash on Hwy. 52 In Rochester

First responders were dispatched to the wrong-way crash on Hwy. 52 near the 6th St. Southwest interchange in Rochester on January 13. 

A Ford SUV traveling south in the northbound lanes of the freeway collided with a northbound SUV, according to the State Patrol’s crash report. 

62-year-old Diane Kay Jerome of Oronoco was identified by the State Patrol as the Honda driver. The warrant says she suffered a lacerated liver, a brain bleed, several fractured ribs and multiple cuts and bruises. 

She told troopers she attempted to miss the oncoming SUV but it crashed into her. 

26-year-old David Delos Santos Aparicio of Rochester was identified as the Ford driver. The warrant says he responded “no but I’m drunk” and admitted to having 8-9 beers before driving when a trooper asked him if he knew he was driving the wrong way. 

A preliminary blood test measured Aparicio’s blood alcohol concentration at 0.247, which is more than three times the legal limit, the warrant says. 

A subsequent test of a blood sample obtained from Aparicio indicated he had a 0.223 blood alcohol concentration. Aparicio was not arrested after the crash due to non-life-threatening injuries he suffered in the collision, according to the court document. 

The warrant charges Aparicio with two counts of criminal vehicular operation.