A Spring Lake Park man is facing multiple charges after allegedly fleeing a collision near the Hy-Vee on Highway 65 while intoxicated early Saturday morning, according to a criminal complaint filed in Anoka County District Court.
The Crash and Arrest
Police say Joseph Lee Duross, 24, was driving a Nissan Xterra when he struck another vehicle near the Hy-Vee grocery store at 8155 Highway 65 NE just before 8 a.m. on October 11. Dispatchers received reports that an intoxicated man had fled the scene in the damaged SUV.
When Officer Stauffeneker located the vehicle a short time later, Duross reportedly smelled strongly of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. He admitted to being in the crash but told officers he left because he “did not want to deal with an accident.”
Police said Duross failed field-sobriety tests and registered a preliminary breath-test result of 0.281, more than three times Minnesota’s legal limit. He was arrested and taken to the Blaine Police Department, where a court-authorized blood draw was performed around 10 a.m.
The driver of the other vehicle was transported to Mercy Hospital with injuries to the shoulder, neck, and back.
Charges Filed
Prosecutors charged Duross with three counts:
- Criminal vehicular operation causing bodily harm while under the influence of alcohol (gross misdemeanor);
- Driving while impaired — fourth degree (misdemeanor); and
- Failure to stop for a collision involving another vehicle (misdemeanor).
If convicted, Duross faces up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine on the gross-misdemeanor charge, plus additional penalties on the lesser counts.
A judge ordered Duross detained pending further proceedings.
Ongoing Investigation
Investigators are awaiting the results of laboratory blood-alcohol testing. Under Minnesota law, anyone convicted of criminal vehicular operation must serve a mandatory minimum jail term and may lose driving privileges for up to a year.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to curb impaired driving along Highway 65 corridors, an area that has seen repeated weekend crashes linked to alcohol use.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This report is based solely on verified information filed in Anoka County District Court.