Man Gets Probation in Rochester Wrong Way Drunk Driving Crash

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man has been sentenced to probation for a drunk driving crash that injured another motorist.

Wrong Way Crash

Olmsted County court records indicate that 43-year-old Paul William Deng was arrested on the evening of December 30, 2025, after Rochester police responded to a two-vehicle crash along 41st Street Northwest. According to the criminal complaint, Deng was driving on the wrong side of the road when his SUV crashed into a vehicle headed in the opposite direction, resulting in injuries to the other driver.

Nearly 3 Times the Legal Limit

The court document says the responding officers detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Deng, who admitted to drinking vodka prior to the crash. The criminal complaint says Deng also displayed multiple indicators of impairment, and a preliminary breath test measured his blood alcohol concentration at 0.226 following the collision.

Probation, Fine, and Restitution

He was charged with gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation and two counts of gross misdemeanor DWI. Deng entered into a plea agreement last week and admitted to one of the DWI charges in exchange for the dismissal of the two other charges.

Deng was sentenced to two years on probation. He was also ordered to pay a $900 fine and $1,000 in restitution.