A Columbia Heights man is facing multiple driving-related charges after allegedly crashing into a parked vehicle while intoxicated, admitting to police that he had consumed seven beers before getting behind the wheel.
Late-Night Crash on 44½ Avenue
According to the criminal complaint filed in Anoka County District Court, officers were dispatched around 11:08 p.m. on October 12, 2025, to the 1100 block of 44½ Avenue NE in Columbia Heights for a two-vehicle property damage crash. When officers arrived, they found a gray Ford Escape with severe front-end damage and a deployed airbag, along with a legally parked Chevrolet Traverse that had been struck on the street.
The driver of the Ford Escape, Jose Mauricio Vasquez Cabrera, 23, told Officer Basurto that he had been driving westbound when he lost control of his vehicle and veered left, colliding with the parked car.
Signs of Intoxication
As Cabrera spoke with police, the officer noted a strong odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and watery eyes. Cabrera allegedly admitted to consuming seven beers earlier that evening. A preliminary breath test (PBT) indicated a blood-alcohol level of 0.204, more than two and a half times Minnesota’s legal limit of 0.08.
Cabrera was arrested at the scene and transported for further testing. A subsequent breath test administered at 11:58 p.m. confirmed a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.17.
No injuries were reported, though both vehicles sustained significant damage.
Driving Without a Valid License
A record check revealed that Cabrera did not possess a valid Minnesota driver’s license, according to the complaint. His vehicle was towed from the scene.
Charges Filed
Prosecutors have charged Cabrera with three offenses:
- Third-Degree DWI — Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol (gross misdemeanor)
- Third-Degree DWI — Alcohol Concentration 0.08 or More Within Two Hours (gross misdemeanor)
- Driving Without a Valid License (misdemeanor)
Each of the DWI counts carries a potential sentence of up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine, while the license violation carries up to 90 days in jail.
Judge Karin McCarthy ordered Cabrera detained pending his first court appearance.
A Pattern of Impaired Driving Cases
The incident adds to a growing list of alcohol-related crashes across Anoka County this year. Law enforcement agencies have reported an uptick in late-night collisions involving impaired drivers, particularly in residential neighborhoods like Columbia Heights and Fridley.
The complaint notes that Cabrera cooperated with officers but offered no explanation for why he chose to drive after drinking.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This report is based solely on verified facts from an Anoka County District Court criminal complaint dated October 13, 2025.
