Police: Alcohol likely involved in vehicle-ATV crash

Jana Peterson

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A Moose Lake woman faces nine criminal charges after rear-ending an ATV at approximately 4 p.m. Saturday, July 6, while allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

Dannaka Lennea Miller, 30, was arraigned in Sixth District Carlton County Court on Tuesday, July 9, on multiple charges of gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation, bodily harm, as well as gross misdemeanor DWI charges, and misdemeanor charges of driving after revocation, not carrying insurance and having an open bottle of an alcoholic beverage in the vehicle.

According to the criminal complaint:

Carlton County deputies arrived at the scene, and learned that Miller allegedly had run over a curb while making a turn and drove a short way before rear-ending an ATV, ejecting both its passengers and injuring them.

The ATV was legally operating on the roadway and was validly stopped, waiting to make a left turn.

Drivers of nearby vehicles immediately stopped to assist the injured. After rear-ending the ATV, Miller allegedly shifted her vehicle into reverse and backed into another vehicle, before finally stopping. She appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and possibly other controlled substances, according to the officers.

Deputies had Miller perform sobriety tests after learning she had been drinking alcoholic beverages before and during driving. A roadside breath test revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.249, three times the legal limit.

A blood sample was also sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing.

Miller was released with conditions. Her next hearing is set for Aug. 19.

According to the criminal complaint, Miller was driving with revoked driving privileges and no valid proof of insurance.