Marijuana Use Factor in Rochester Vehicle-Moped Injury Crash

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Rochester Police say marijuana was a factor in a vehicle-moped crash that sent two people to St. Mary’s Hospital early Tuesday morning. 

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Police Captain Casey Moilanen said officers were dispatched to the crash at the Hwy. 52/19th St. Northwest interchange shortly before 1:20 a.m. The preliminary crash investigation indicates a sedan exited Hwy. 52 South and was making a left turn towards Elton Hills Dr. with a green arrow when the moped, traveling west on 19th St., ran the red light, causing the moped and vehicle to collide. 

Moilanen said the 20-year-old Rochester man driving the moped and a 49-year-old male passenger from Rochester on the moped were taken by ambulance to St. Mary’s Hospital. The passenger suffered what is being described as a severe injury while the driver appeared to have avoided a serious injury. 

The car driver, described as a 20-year-old woman, was not hurt. Moilanen said both drivers admitted to recent marijuana use and said the moped driver told officers he was high during the crash. 

Investigators obtained a warrant to draw a blood sample from both drivers that will be sent to the Minnesota BCA for testing. So far no charges against anyone involved in the collision have been referred.