Rochester-Area Family Displaced After SUV Crashes into Their Home

Oronoco, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Rochester-area family has been temporarily displaced after their home was struck by a suspected drunk driver over the weekend. 

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Olmsted County Sheriff’s Lt. Malinda Olson said first responders were called to the report of a motor vehicle crashing into a residence at the Oakwood Meadows Mobile Home Park in the 3600 block of 85th St. Northwest in Oronoco. The collision was reported shortly after 11:15 p.m. Saturday. 

Olson said deputies learned the driver of the suspect vehicle fled the crash scene on foot and was being followed by a resident in the park who was on the phone with dispatchers. The suspect driver, described as a 27-year-old man from Rochester, was detained after deputies found him. 

The preliminary crash investigation indicates the SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed throughout the park’s roads when it failed to navigate a left-hand turn, went into a yard then hit one of the mobile homes, becoming wedged between the home and its foundation. Olson said there were multiple people inside of the home and that an 11-year-old girl suffered a small cut to her foot after stepping on glass that had fallen to the floor following the collision. 

The driver, who was described by deputies to have been showing signs of impairment, was taken by squad car to St. Mary’s Hospital to be evaluated. Deputies obtained a search warrant to collect a blood sample for testing from the suspect driver. 

Olson said charges are pending the results of the blood test. The name of the driver has not been released. It’s unknown how many people were inside of the residence at the time of the collision.  

The collision rendered the home temporarily uninhabitable. Olson said the Red Cross is assisting the family with temporary shelter. She says Oakwood Meadows management plans to remove the vehicle Monday and begin making the repairs needed to allow the family to return home.