Southern Minn. Man Charged in High-Speed Crash that Severely Injured 3
A suspect has been charged with criminal vehicular operation after a June crash in Blue Earth County left three people seriously injured.
Authorities say Joshua Lemoine Hoferman, 26, of Good Thunder, was under the influence of cannabis when the crash occurred, shortly before 6:08 p.m. on June 8, 2024, about two miles north of Mankato in Lime Township.
Responding officers found a Dodge Durango in a ditch with its roof caved in after Hoferman allegedly struck a power pole. Rescue crews used a hydraulic rescue tool, the “jaws of life,” to free the victims from the wreckage.
Hoferman initially claimed a truck was tailgating him, causing him to miss a stop sign. But two passengers denied that any vehicles had followed them and reported that Hoferman was driving between 60 and 80 mph on a 30-mph road, court documents said.
A blood test later confirmed THC in Hoferman’s system, with deputies also noting he was slow to respond, appearing lethargic.
The crash victims suffered severe injuries including multiple spinal fractures, broken ribs and internal trauma. One victim had to be airlifted to Rochester for emergency surgery. Another now has rods and screws in their back due to spinal injuries.
Hoferman—whose license was suspended at the time—is charged with two felony counts of criminal vehicular operation and one misdemeanor count of driving after suspension. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison on each felony charge. His next court appearance has not yet been scheduled.
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