Rochester Man Charged in Hit-and-Run That Injured Motorcyclist

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man is facing a felony charge in connection with a hit-and-run crash earlier this year.

The criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court says Rochester police responded to a report of a traffic crash involving a motorcycle on Highway 14 in southeast Rochester on the afternoon of May 26. After arriving at the scene, an officer spoke with a man who was injured when his motorcycle collided with a black BMW that left the scene immediately after the crash.

Police Locate Damaged BMW Linked to Crash

The court document says police began searching for the BMW, which had damage to its passenger side, and soon located a vehicle matching the description with its passenger-side window broken, dents on both passenger-side doors, a deployed airbag, and a flat tire.

According to the criminal complaint, an officer located and spoke with the registered owner, identified as 31-year-old Casar Isaac Martinez Herrera. The complaint says a woman who was with Martinez Herrera told the officer that he had come home and confessed he was driving the BMW and left the scene following the collision.

It also states that Martinez Herrera told another officer he was crossing Highway 14 at the intersection with 17th Avenue Southeast when a motorcycle struck the passenger side of his car. The court document says Martinez Herrera admitted he was aware he had been in a crash but did not stop to check on the motorcyclist or call 911 because he was scared.

Motorcyclist Suffers Broken Arm in Highway 14 Collision

The motorcyclist was transported to St. Marys Hospital to be treated for a fractured arm suffered in the crash.

Martinez Herrera is facing a felony count of criminal vehicular operation involving leaving the scene of a crash.