Becker County, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) – A man from Ogema is facing a gross misdemeanor charge of criminal vehicular operation after allegedly causing a crash that injured a passenger during a bizarre and reckless incident in Maple Grove Township on March 16, 2025.
According to court documents, Becker County deputies responded to a report of a possible shooting and an erratic driver near 336th Avenue. The caller reported someone had shot a window and was preparing to flee in a vehicle.
While responding, dispatch notified deputies that a blue truck had entered and exited a ditch near the scene. Sgt. Aho later located the same truck in another ditch, noting it had likely blown through a stop sign based on fresh skid marks.
Inside the vehicle, deputies found Christopher James Dodd (DOB: 07/30/1987) in the driver’s seat and an injured male passenger with a bleeding head wound. The victim stated Dodd was “acting crazy,” swerving erratically, and appeared to be under the influence of methamphetamine. He also said Dodd had been using his phone while driving and expressed doubts about the vehicle’s brakes being fully functional.
Dodd was airlifted to Essentia Health in Fargo for medical treatment. Although a warrant was obtained for a blood draw, law enforcement was unable to collect a sample before Dodd left the hospital. However, a suspected bag of methamphetamine was found during a vehicle search.
Dodd is now charged with:
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Count I: Criminal Vehicular Operation – Bodily Harm – Gross Negligence (Gross Misdemeanor)
If convicted, he faces up to 364 days in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.
A summons has been issued for Dodd to appear in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.