One Arrested After Chain-Reaction Injury Crash Near Rochester, MN

(UPDATED) - Wigham was arraigned in Olmsted County Court Wednesday afternoon on a gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation charge.  The complaint says witnesses reported he was driving erratically and a deputy found numerous burnt pieces of tin foil and a burnt straw in his vehicle.

Eyota, MN (KROC-AM News)- An Eyota man is in custody as the result of a chain-reaction crash with injuries near Rochester Tuesday afternoon. 

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Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office Captain Tim Parkin said deputies responded to the three-vehicle crash around 4:20 p.m. The collision happened about five miles east of Rochester in the 7900 block of Collegeview Rd. East. 

Parkin said the preliminary crash investigation indicates a vehicle slowed for animals in the roadway and a second vehicle slowed behind the first vehicle. Parkin says a third vehicle did not slow and collided with the rear end of the second vehicle, causing it to smash into the back end of the lead vehicle. 

The driver of the third vehicle, identified as 33-year-old Joshua Wigham of Eyota, showed signs of being under the influence, Parkin said. He was evaluated and cleared at St. Mary’s Hospital before being taken to the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center where he was booked on suspicion of criminal vehicular operation Tuesday night. 

Investigators also obtained a search warrant to draw a sample of Wigham’s blood which will be sent to the Minnesota BCA for further testing. The driver of the second vehicle, described as a 57-year-old woman, was also hospitalized after complaining of neck and back pain.

The driver of the lead vehicle was not hurt and able to drive away from the scene. Parkin said the two other vehicles involved were towed from the crash scene.