Minnesota is known for its parade of seasons. Many residents enjoy the outdoors during any season of the year. We have previously discussed criminal charges related to driving a snowmobile in the winter and while someone has been enjoying a boat ride in the summer. Recreational vehicles are generally subject to Minnesota’s stringent driving while impaired laws. All-terrain vehicles may not have a specific season in which Minnesotans use the vehicle. But, ATVs are subject to the state’s DWI statutes.
A Darwin, Minnesota man is facing second-degree DWI and criminal vehicular operation charges after he was allegedly involved in an ATV accident Sunday near Cosmos. Meeker County, Minnesota officials claim that someone called authorities around 3:00 Sunday afternoon to report an ATV accident at the Thompson Lake County Park. The caller claims that a man tried to run the ATV up a steep embankment when the ATV rolled over.
The caller claims that a 5-year-old girl was riding along as a passenger on the ATV, but the witness claims the Yamaha, the man and the child left the area. Authorities say that a 5-year-old girl was located at her grandparent’s house in Cosmos, Minnesota who had serious injuries, The girl was transported to a local hospital before being transported to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis with what authorities say could be life-threatening injuries.
A 30-year-old rural Darwin, Minnesota man is accused of driving the ATV at the time of the incident in the park. He is charged with gross-misdemeanor DWI and CVO with injury charges in Meeker County. The man reportedly is a friend of the girl’s father.
Source: The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, “Minnesota ATV crash injures girl; man charged with DWI,” May 13, 2013