On January 4, 2026, at approximately 8:50 PM, law enforcement were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash near the intersection of 260th Street and St. Croix Trail in Shafer, Chisago County, Minnesota. When law enforcement arrived, they observed two vehicles with front end damage. One vehicle was a Kia Soul occupied by NELS RAINER HOILAND [DOB REDACTED], Defendant herein. There were numerous individuals on the road when law enforcement arrived. One individual who spoke with Defendant stated to law enforcement that Defendant said he had a few drinks.
The Kia was resting in the middle of the road with heavy front-end damage. Law enforcement approached Defendant, who was seated in the driver seat and unable to exit due to damage to the driver's door, and observed he had slurred speech, and watery, bloodshot, and droopy eyes. Defendant was later extricated from the vehicle by the fire department. Law enforcement observed tracks in the snow that indicated the Defendant's vehicle drifted into the shoulder, then overcorrected into the opposite lane of traffic where the collision occurred.
Law enforcement spoke with the driver of the other vehicle, C. E. J. [DOB REDACTED]. He stated that he was driving westbound on 260th Street when Defendant's vehicle crossed the center line and came into his lane of travel, striking him head on. C. E. J. Then went into the north side ditch where his vehicle came to rest. C. E. J. Was able to exit his vehicle through the passenger side door. The strike was a glancing blow that heavily damaged the driver side of C. E. J.'s vehicle, but left him unharmed.
After Defendant was extricated, law enforcement detected an extremely strong odor of alcohol coming from him. Defendant performed the HGN test wherein Defendant exhibited 6 clues of impairment, including lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, onset of nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes, and onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in both eyes. During the test Defendant had difficulty following simple instructions to follow the deputy's finger without moving his head. The walk and turn and one leg stand test were not attempted due to Defendant stumbling and being unable to walk under his own power.
Defendant provided a breath sample for a PBT that showed a BAC of.217. Defendant was cleared by EMS and was arrested. A search warrant was obtained and Defendant was taken to Wyoming Fairview for a blood draw. At 10:50 PM, the warrant was executed and blood was obtained from Defendant. Blood results are pending as of the writing of this complaint. Defendant was convicted of a felony DWI on November 22, 2023 in court file ••-CR-••-••••. Defendant is currently on probation for this felony DWI. On December 22, 2025, Defendant was sentenced on his 4th probation violation on that file.
