Strandquist Man Gets 21 Days in Highway 59 Crash
Strandquist (trfnews.i234.me) — Jared Lee Lemoine, 41, has been sentenced in Becker County District Court for felony criminal vehicular operation.
A misdemeanor reckless driving charge was dismissed under a plea agreement.
On July 15, District Judge Michelle Lawson issued a stay of imposition in the case.
Successful completion of probation will reduce the felony conviction to a misdemeanor.
Lemoine was ordered to serve 21 days in jail, with credit for one day already served.
He was fined $1,000 and ordered to pay $85 in court fees.
He was also placed on supervised probation for four years.
Crash Happened on Highway 59
The case stems from a February 14, 2024, crash in Becker County.
Law enforcement was sent to Highway 59 near the 59er Diner at 7:33 p.m.
Court records say Lemoine was driving a UPS semi-truck with two trailers.
He was traveling south when the semi crossed into the northbound lane.
The truck struck a van carrying four people.
Lemoine said he was traveling from Thief River Falls to Clearwater.
He had started his work shift at 4:40 p.m.
Lemoine told investigators he suddenly remembered hitting the van and entering the ditch.
He said his cruise control was set at 65 mph.
The posted speed limit was 60 mph, according to court records.
Snapchat Records Reviewed
Lemoine denied using his phone when investigators first questioned him.
Investigators later reviewed the phone and found a Snapchat picture received at 7:33 p.m.
Court records said the picture had been opened.
Lemoine said he did not remember opening that specific picture.
He admitted opening a couple of Snapchat messages during the trip.
A search warrant was later obtained for the phone.
Records from Snap Inc. showed a message was received at 7:33 p.m.
Those records indicated the message had been read or viewed.
Investigators reported no swerve or braking marks before the impact area.
They found evidence of heavy braking at the point of impact.
Four People Taken to Hospital
A witness traveling behind the van said the semi entered the northbound lane.
The witness said the van tried to move away before the collision.
All four van occupants were taken for medical care.
The driver suffered facial injuries and a cut to his left ear.
A front-seat passenger was also treated at the hospital.
Two teenage girls in the van suffered cuts and other injuries.
One girl had a broken ankle and arm and required surgery.
Probation Includes Distracted Driving Talks
The court ordered Lemoine to complete cognitive skills training.
He also may not use or possess firearms or ammunition.
Lemoine must give three public talks about the dangers of distracted driving.
The talks must be presented at a high school or youth group.
Probation officials will supervise those presentations.
Minnesota law covers criminal vehicular operation causing substantial bodily harm.
Becker County District Court is part of Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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