Polk County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Mentor man is charged after a rollover crash on U.S. Highway 2.
Joshua Zeni Sotzsky, 41, of Mentor, faces a felony DWI count. He also faces a gross misdemeanor driving-after-cancellation count.
What investigators say happened
According to the criminal complaint, the crash was reported at about 6:25 a.m. on January 14, 2026. A state trooper was sent to a single-vehicle rollover near Mentor.
The vehicle was found in a ditch after crossing the median into the eastbound lanes. The vehicle was unoccupied when authorities arrived.
Investigators traced the registration to a home in Mentor. At the home, they met a witness identified as K.M.J. They also met Sotzsky.
K.M.J. told authorities Sotzsky came home earlier that morning. K.M.J. said Sotzsky stated he had been drinking. K.M.J. also said Sotzsky claimed someone gave him a ride.
When contacted, Sotzsky reportedly told the trooper, “Just take me to jail.” He also claimed he hit the ditch due to ice.
Sotzsky said he was coming home from Dollar General when the crash happened. The complaint says the trooper noticed signs of alcohol use.
The complaint alleges Sotzsky showed slurred speech and watery, bloodshot eyes. The trooper also reported a strong odor of alcohol.
After field sobriety tests, Sotzsky was arrested, according to the complaint. A breath test later measured a 0.13 alcohol concentration. The complaint says that the test was taken nearly three hours after the crash report.
Charges and driving status
Sotzsky is charged with First Degree Driving While Impaired under Minnesota law. He is also charged with Driving After Cancellation — Inimical to Public Safety.
“Inimical to public safety” means the state canceled the license for safety reasons. The complaint says Sotzsky’s license was canceled in May 2025. The complaint cites three prior impaired driving incidents.
Court status
Court records list the case as filed on January 15, 2026. Bail was set at $0 with conditions, according to the complaint summary.
Charges are accusations. Sotzsky is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Resources
- Minn. Stat. § 169A.20 (Driving While Impaired)
- Minn. Stat. § 169A.24 (First-Degree DWI)
- Minn. Stat. § 171.24 (Driving After Cancellation)
- Minnesota State Patrol crash updates
- How to request a Minnesota crash report
- Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
- MnDOT 511 road and travel conditions
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.