40-year-old Man Charged in Monticello Drunk-Driving Crash

Oct 14

A Zimmerman man is charged with two felonies after authorities say he was drunk and speeding when he ran a red light in Monticello early Sunday.

The crash left another driver with severe injuries and requiring a helicopter transport to the hospital.

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According to the criminal complaint, 40-year-old Tyler Scott Wild is charged with two counts of criminal vehicular operation—one for great bodily harm caused by gross negligence and another for great bodily harm caused while under the influence of alcohol.

Troopers responded just after midnight on Oct. 12 to Highway 25 and 7th Street, where they found Wild’s Chevrolet Silverado had collided with another vehicle. The victim’s car was heavily damaged and firefighters had to extricate the driver, who suffered multiple serious injuries, including broken ribs, jaw, and back, along with internal injuries to the lung, spleen and bladder. The victim was airlifted to HCMC and has since undergone two surgeries, with more expected.

PREVIOUSLY: 3 Hurt After Suspected Drunk Driver Hits 2 Cars in Monticello

A witness told troopers they saw Wild drive through a red light at high speed before crashing into the other car. Investigators later reviewed nearby video and estimated Wild’s truck was traveling about 70 mph northbound on Highway 25 at the time of impact.

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When troopers spoke with Wild, they noted heavy slurring, watery eyes and a strong odor of alcohol. Deputies reported that Wild admitted to drinking heavily, telling them, “Sorry, I’ve been drinking,” and that he had consumed six beers and two shots at Chatter’s Bar around 6 p.m. before driving home to Zimmerman. Deputies also noted he had urinated himself.

Wild was arrested at the scene and taken to Saint Cloud Hospital, where a blood sample was obtained under a search warrant and sent to the state crime lab for analysis.

He remains in custody and made an intial court appearance on Monday. A judge set bail at $150,000 with no conditions, or $50,000 with conditions including no alcohol use, random testing and use of an alcohol monitoring device. Each felony count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

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