Rochester Man Facing Charges for Injury Crash Near Century High School

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Rochester man is facing charges for an injury crash that occurred near Century High School. 

See Also: Rochester Motorist Accused of Running Down Man in Vehicle 

That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court on Monday. 

The crash happened on Monday and was witnessed by the Rochester Fire Department, the complaint says. 

Rochester Man With Prior DWI Conviction Charged for Injury Crash Near Century High School

The two-vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of East Circle Dr. and Viola Rd. in northeast Rochester. 

Firefighters, who were responding to an unrelated call, told Rochester police that a minivan smashed into the back of an SUV that was “lawfully stopped at the red light,” the complaint says. 

The vehicles were blocking the intersection and the suspect vehicle had moved to the parking lot of the nearby Kwik Trip.

Firefighters blocked the minivan from leaving the store until law enforcement arrived, the charges say.  

Victim Seeks Medical Treatment

The victim complained of pain but initially refused medical attention. 

She later informed police that she was enroute to a medical facility due to severe pain on the right side of her rib cage, in her lower back, both wrists and back of her neck. The complaint says. 

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Minivan Driver Had BAC Over Three Times Higher Than Legal Limit, Complaint Says

Police identified the minivan driver as 37-year-old Nathaniel Thomas Swanson. 

The court document says Swanson was suspected of being impaired because he “provided unusual, inconsistent, and at times nonresponsive answers to basic questions.” Police also detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage. 

A preliminary breath test given to Swanson at the scene measured his blood-alcohol-concentration at 0.283 BAC, according to the complaint. 

He was arrested on suspicion of DWI then taken to St. Mary’s Hospital for an evaluation, where officers obtained a warrant to draw a sample of his blood or urine for testing.

See Also: Teen Hurt in Collision Near Rochester Freeway Interchange 

Swanson was medically cleared then brought to the Olmsted County Jail, according to the court document. 

Prior DWI

Court records indicate Swanson was convicted of DWI in Olmsted County in March of 2024. 

He’s charged with gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation, two gross misdemeanor DWI counts and a gross misdemeanor charge of failing to stop for an injury collision. 

See Also: Rochester Man Out on Bail for Assault Case Accused of Threatening Kwik Trip Clerk

Swanson was released without bail following his first court appearance Tuesday morning and is due back in court next month.