A 21-year-old driver is facing charges after allegedly causing a crash while drunk, seriously injuring four passengers in Clay County.
The driver—identified by authorities as Logan Robert Herold, of Pierz—admitted to consuming Busch Light beer earlier in the evening at a gathering with friends. After observing open Busch Light beer cans in the vehicle, deputies noted Herold had slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol from his breath. His blood alcohol concentration was later measured at 0.119. The legal limit in Minnesota is 0.08.
Inside the vehicle, emergency responders found five people including one male with severe head trauma. That passenger, who was later diagnosed with a skull fracture, had to be airlifted to the hospital. According to family statements nearly two weeks after the crash, the victim remained heavily sedated with injuries described as primarily “from the neck up.”
Another passenger suffered neck fractures requiring a brace for several months. Two others had facial lacerations and bruises, while all occupants confirmed the group had been drinking before getting into the vehicle.
Herold has been charged with two counts of felony criminal vehicular operation resulting in great bodily harm, two counts of gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation resulting in bodily harm and a misdemeanor charge for driving while impaired. He was charged through a summons and is scheduled to appear in court later this month. A booking photo was not immediately available.
