On September 27, 2025, at approximately 6:24 P.M., a trooper with the Minnesota State Patrol was on patrol in the area of Inver Grove Heights when he responded to a single vehicle crash into a guard rail on US Highway 52, just south of Upper 55th Street East in the City of Inver Grove Heights, the County of Dakota, the State of Minnesota. The vehicle was identified as a black sedan bearing a Minnesota license plate. Reports from multiple witnesses prior to the crash indicated that there was reckless driving conduct.
The trooper arrived on scene with police, fire, medics, and several witnesses on scene, where he observed the sedan crashed into the center median guardrail with heavy front-end damage. A male was walking towards the trooper before being approached by medics. The male denied medical attention and approached the trooper. The trooper observed the male to be walking with an unsteady gait. His eyes were observed to be glassy and unfocused. The male, identified as CARLOS MAURICIO AQUINO VILLALTA [DOB REDACTED], herein the Defendant, was determined to be the driver of the vehicle.
The trooper asked him how the crash happened, and he said he lost control and crashed into a sign and the guard rail. He told the trooper he tried to brake but his brakes were “terrible” and that he was going the speed limit. The trooper asked where he was coming from and where he was going, and he said he was coming from Rosemount and going to “his homies in St. Paul.” The Defendant said he doesn’t drink alcohol and that he doesn’t use street drugs. Based on the observations and interactions, along with the nature of the crash and statements from witnesses, the trooper asked the Defendant to perform standardized field sobriety tests.
The Defendant said he had done them before and had recently been released from jail for a DWI, so he agreed. Prior to starting the tests, the trooper observed the Defendant’s pupils to be constricted and non- reactive to light. The first test performed was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test. During this test, the trooper observed the following 6 clues of impairment: lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, distinct and sustained nystagmus at the maximum deviation in both eyes, and the onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in both eyes.
The trooper also noted the onset of vertical nystagmus in both eyes. The second test performed was the walk-and-turn test. During this test, the trooper observed the following 6 clues of impairment: the Defendant lost balance during instructions, stopped while walking, stepped off the line, 3 19HA-CR-25-2022 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 11/24/2025 used his arms for balance, took an incorrect number of steps, and made an improper turn. The third test was the one-leg stand test. During this test, the trooper observed the following 4 clues of impairment: The Defendant swayed while balancing, hopped, used his arms to balance, and put his foot down.
