Charges: Driver Was Impaired During Rochester Injury Crash

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The woman behind the wheel of a vehicle involved in an injury crash earlier this year in Rochester is now facing felony charges. 

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That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court on Tuesday. The crash happened on the morning of February 16. 

Rochester police said five people were in the vehicle, ranging in age from 20-34. 

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Rochester Woman Charged for February Injury Crash on East Circle Dr. in Rochester

First responders were dispatched to the crash on East Circle Dr. at the railroad tracks and Silver Creek crossing, just north of the College View Dr. Intersection. 

Upon arrival officers found an overturned Jeep underneath the bridges in the median. The crash investigation indicates the northbound vehicle smashed into the guardrail and rolled when it entered the median, the complaint says. 

The court document says responding officers found an unconscious man who appeared to have been ejected from the vehicle, three people trapped inside of the Jeep and another man outside of the vehicle at the scene. 

The unresponsive man had labored breathing and was unable to speak when he initially came to, the charges say. He was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital for further care. 

Another man who was trapped in the vehicle appeared to have suffered a broken arm, shoulder injury and fractured ribs, according to the court document. 

The complaint identifies the driver as 20-year-old Fathi Issa Araya of Rochester. Police detected the odor of alcohol coming from Araya and the Jeep. 

Araya was brought to St. Mary’s Hospital where investigators took a blood sample. An analysis of the sample measured Araya’s blood-alcohol concentration at 0.082, the complaint says. 

Araya has been charged with two counts of criminal vehicular operation. She’s been charged by summons and has been ordered to make her first court appearance later this year.