Norman County (trfnews.i234.me) An Ada man faces four charges after a head-on crash, court records allege.
Michael William Wickern, 68, of Ada, is charged with two gross misdemeanors and two misdemeanors.
Charges filed
- Gross misdemeanor DWI: Minn. Stat. 169A.20
- Gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation, bodily harm, alcohol: Minn. Stat. 609.2113
- Misdemeanor reckless driving: Minn. Stat. 169.13
- Misdemeanor open bottle law: Minn. Stat. 169A.35
What investigators allege
The crash happened on January 3, 2026, near County Road 35 and Minnesota Highway 9, in Norman County.
Deputies reported two vehicles had heavy damage after the impact.
A witness reported a half-empty bottle of Black Velvet whiskey in the Jeep after the crash.
Investigators said the bottle appeared open and within reach of the driver.
The other driver, listed as Victim 1 in the complaint, said the Jeep approached at a high speed.
Victim 1 said the Jeep slid and hit her vehicle head-on.
The complaint said Victim 1 was wearing a seat belt.
Victim 1 reported abdominal pain and went to a regional hospital by ambulance.
Test results
Investigators obtained a blood sample after the crash, according to the complaint.
Lab results showed Wickern had a .206 blood alcohol level.
That is more than twice the 0.08 limit for most drivers in Minnesota.
Learn more from the state here: Minnesota DPS impaired driving laws.
Statement in the complaint
The complaint said Wickern told deputies he had drunk earlier while taking his dog out.
He said he lost control in a corner and caused the crash, according to the complaint.
He also told deputies the crash was his fault, the complaint said.
Court timeline
Wickern was charged by summons, according to court records.
The complaint and summons were approved on January 27, 2026.
The case was filed in court on January 29, 2026.
A gross misdemeanor can carry up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine.
See the state definition here: Minn. Stat. 609.02.
Related resources
Note to readers
Charges are allegations and are not proof of guilt.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
My mom and daughter where the ones he hit and showed no remorse for what he did he deserves all the time behind bars and i believe .20+ is closer to 3 times the limit then .16 for 2 times the limit and that bottle was open saw that when the cops put it on his hood of his mangled car