Grand Rapids, Itasca County (trfnews.i234.me) — A chaotic scene unfolded early Tuesday morning in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, involving a woman who reportedly fled a detox facility, stole a vehicle, and crashed it within minutes.
According to court documents, Melinda Tona Cuellar-Sibbet of Coleraine allegedly walked away from a Grand Rapids detox center around 7:52 a.m. on April 30th. Authorities received a report of a stolen pickup at that time. Just six minutes later, at 7:58 a.m., officers were alerted to a vehicle rollover on Mishawaka Road — involving the very same stolen truck.
When authorities arrived at the crash site, they identified Cuellar-Sibbet as the driver. She reportedly told officers she had consumed a combination of medications while still at the detox center.
Following the incident, Cuellar-Sibbet was charged with a trio of felony offenses:
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Theft of a Motor Vehicle
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Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
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First-Degree Driving While Impaired (DWI)
Police say the quick succession of events — from the vehicle theft to the crash — underscores the dangers posed by impaired drivers and highlights the challenges faced by treatment centers and law enforcement in dealing with individuals struggling with substance use.
Cuellar-Sibbet was taken into custody following the crash and is now awaiting further court proceedings.
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Did you know?
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First-degree DWI in Minnesota is the most serious DWI charge and typically involves prior offenses or aggravating factors like injuries or high BAC levels.
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In Minnesota, the theft of a motor vehicle is classified as a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
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Itasca County spans over 2,900 square miles and is one of the largest counties in Minnesota by area.
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Substance abuse detox centers are critical first steps for many in recovery, but cannot legally detain individuals unless they are committed under a court order.
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Rollovers account for nearly 35% of all traffic fatalities despite comprising a smaller share of total crashes.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.