Driver Charged After Killing Pedestrian, Injuring Another
Photo via MnDOT
Investigators say alcohol was a factor in a crash that killed one person and critically injured another Thursday night in Columbia Heights.
Emergency crews were called around 10:30 p.m. to a report of a crash near Highway 65 and 39th Ave. NE. in Columbia Heights. The State Patrol says 35-year-old Cody John Jazdzewski, of Minneapolis, drove a 1998 BMW off the roadway and onto the sidewalk, striking two pedestrians before the vehicle came to rest near a tree line.
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Carrie Lynn Rivero, 58, of Minneapolis and James Junior Beller, 63, of Minneapolis, were walking on the southbound sidewalk when they were struck. Beller suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to Hennepin Healthcare. Rivero was pronounced deceased.
Jazdzewski is now charged with one count of criminal vehicular homicide and one count of criminal vehicular operation. According to the criminal complaint, Jazdzewski had bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol from his breath. Jazdewski later took a preliminary blood test which indicated a blood alcohol concentration of .131. The legal limit in Minnesota is .08.
Jazdzewski was booked into the Anoka County Jail and is scheduled to make his first court appearance Friday afternoon. He faces up to 10 years in prison on the most serious charge.
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