A Monticello man is facing charges of criminal vehicular operation after he allegedly turned in front of oncoming traffic while driving his vehicle under the influence of alcohol. And it’s not his first run-in with the law.
According to the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, the Wright County Communications Center received a call around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 25th reporting a two vehicle accident with injuries at the intersection of Wright County Highway 39 and Aetna Avenue Northeast, just east of Monticello.
Upon arrival deputies found a Plymouth Voyager, driven by Darin Hayes, 42, Clearwater and a Chevy Silverado, driven by Brian Krautbauer, 54, Monticello, had been involved in a head-on collision. There were no passengers in either vehicle.
The sheriff’s office preliminary investigation shows that Hayes was traveling westbound on County Road 39, while Krautbauer was traveling eastbound on on the highway. Krautbauer turned north, towards Aetna Avenue, in front of Hayes. The two vehicles hit head on in the intersection of County 39 and Aetna Avenue.
Hayes sustained severe injuries, and was transported by North Air Ambulance to North Memorial Hospital.
Krautbauer was transported by ambulance to Buffalo Hospital for minor injuries. Krautbauer was later released, and eventually booked into the Wright County Jail on charges of Felony Criminal Vehicle Operation, 2nd Degree DWI, and Driving after Cancellation.
According to court records, Krautbauer is currently on probation for DWI arrest in 2012. The terms, which went into effect in January of 2014, were set to run through 2016, and included attendance of a MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) impact panel, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, no usage of alcohol or illicit drugs and random testing.
Court records also show Krautbauer was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated in 1986 and 1999 in Sherburne County, and has faced multiple other charges, including disorderly conduct and traffic violations.