Mahnomen County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Waubun man is facing a gross misdemeanor charge after a crash in Mahnomen County.
Jeffrey Robert Cukla, 24, is charged with criminal vehicular operation causing bodily harm.
The charge alleges Cukla was under the influence of cannabis while operating a motor vehicle.
The case was filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.
The court file number is 44-CR-26-184.
The crash happened on February 26, 2025, at about 11:57 a.m.
It occurred at the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and Minnesota Highway 113.
Crash Reported At Highway Intersection
According to the complaint, law enforcement responded to a two-vehicle crash.
One vehicle had extensive right-side damage.
A second vehicle had severe front-end damage, according to court records.
Lawrence Sargent, a passenger in the North Dakota vehicle, spoke with investigators.
He said the other vehicle did not stop at the stop sign.
Sargent said they were traveling north on U.S. Highway 59.
The driver, Landis Thompson, had a deep cut and abrasion on her left hand.
Witness Described The Collision
Cukla told investigators he did not see the other vehicle.
He said a semi had turned from northbound Highway 59 onto westbound Highway 113.
Investigators reported a strong marijuana odor from Cukla’s vehicle.
A witness, Marcus Floberg, said he was driving behind the North Dakota vehicle.
Floberg said that vehicle was traveling at normal speed.
He said Cukla’s vehicle stopped at the stop sign.
Floberg said it then entered the intersection before it was clear.
He said the North Dakota vehicle had no time to brake.
Blood Test Cited In Complaint
According to the complaint, Cukla had droopy eyelids and bloodshot, watery eyes.
Cukla said he had been crying after his grandmother died.
Field sobriety testing was conducted, according to court records.
The complaint says Cukla had balance issues during testing.
A search warrant was later granted for a blood sample.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension tested the sample.
The report listed delta-9 THC and related compounds in Cukla’s blood.
The charge was filed under Minnesota Statute 609.2113.
The maximum sentence is 364 days in jail.
It may also include a $3,000 fine, or both.
Public court records can be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.
A criminal complaint is not a conviction.
Cukla is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
