On October 15th, 2025, at approximately 8:42 A.M., deputies from the Carlton County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to a motor vehicle crash with injuries, near the residence of [ADDRESS REDACTED], in Sawyer Township, county of Carlton, state of Minnesota. Deputies arrived on scene and later discovered Paul Jerome Thunder, [DOB REDACTED], the Defendant herein, had been driving a motor vehicle in Carlton County, and had driven his motor vehicle off the roadway and into a large pine tree, seriously injuring both his two passengers and himself.
The passengers were identified as front passenger was K. P. And the rear passenger was B. B. K. P. Informed deputies the defendant was driving, she was in the front passenger seat, and B. B. Was in the rear seat behind K. P. B. B. Also told deputies he rode in the back of the vehicle. All three had to be transported to the hospital for injuries suffered from the crash. At the crash scene, deputies and assisting law enforcement officers processed the scene. There was a large amount of blood in the rear of the vehicle, and some blood on the passenger side airbag, which was collected, along with the driver’s air bag.
A pill bottle was located on the floor of the passenger compartment, which later field tested positive for fentanyl-controlled substance. Tin foil and other drug paraphernalia was also located near the controlled substances. From the crash, deputies ascertained the defendant was driving above the posted speed there and was within 300 feet of a posted stop sign. The defendant was driving with a revoked driver’s license. Controlled substance was found in the vehicle, and an empty beer can was found outside of the vehicle.
Officers believed the defendant had been driving, operating, and in physical control of the vehicle under the influence. They received a signed search warrant for a blood sample from the defendant. The signed search warrant was presented, and a blood sample was received from the defendant. The blood sample was sent to the MN BCA, tested, and later revealed he had amphetamine and methamphetamine in his body when he drove. Deputies went to the Essentia hospital to further investigate the crash and speak to witnesses.
They first met with K. P., who was awake and alert. K. P. Remembered waking up at B. B.’s house. K. P. Stated that her boyfriend, the defendant, was driving, although he was very tired and should not have been. She told deputies, “I’m sure you guys know that we are all drug addicts basically.” K. P. Told deputies she fell asleep and then the crash occurred. Deputies also got a buccal swab for DNA from K. P. They attempted to speak to B. B., but he was sleeping. 3 09-CR-26-189 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 2/3/2026 An accident reconstruction was performed of the crash by the Minnesota State Patrol.
