Rodney Lee Werk, 53, of Roseau, is charged in Roseau County District Court. The charges stem from a May 7, 2026, crash near County Road 124 and 420th Avenue.<\/p>\n
According to the criminal complaint, emergency crews were called at about 8:24 p.m. A motorcycle was found with heavy damage. A male rider was found on the roadway.<\/p>\n
Life-saving efforts were started at the scene. Several agencies responded, including fire, ambulance, sheriff\u2019s deputies, and state officials.<\/p>\n
Charges Filed In Roseau County Court<\/h2>\n
Werk is charged with criminal vehicular homicide. Prosecutors allege he operated a motor vehicle with an alcohol level of .08 or more.<\/p>\n
That charge is filed under Minnesota Statute 609.2112<\/a>. It carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.<\/p>\n Werk is also charged with failing to stop after a crash involving injury or death. That charge is listed under Minnesota Statute 169.09<\/a>.<\/p>\n Rodney Lee Werk<\/p>\n<\/div>\n He also faces two gross misdemeanor DWI charges. Those charges involve driving under the influence and having an alcohol level of .08 or more.<\/p>\n The DWI counts are listed under Minnesota Statute 169A.20<\/a>.<\/p>\n The complaint says investigators found a Chevrolet emblem and a Duramax Diesel emblem near the motorcycle.<\/p>\n Investigators later connected the suspected vehicle to Werk. A white Chevrolet pickup was found at his nearby residence, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n The court filing says the pickup had severe damage on the driver\u2019s side. The complaint also states the vehicle appeared to be missing a Chevrolet emblem.<\/p>\n A witness told investigators he saw a damaged white pickup near the crash area. The witness said a red car also stopped near the pickup.<\/p>\n The witness reported that both vehicles later left the area. No other vehicles were reported at the scene.<\/p>\n Investigators said the motorcycle appeared to be traveling north on 420th Avenue. The Chevrolet was believed to be traveling west on County Road 124.<\/p>\n The complaint states the motorcycle appeared to have failed to stop at a stop sign. It then crashed into the driver\u2019s side of the Chevrolet.<\/p>\n According to the complaint, Werk gave changing statements about alcohol use.<\/p>\n Werk first denied drinking, according to the court filing. He later stated he had one drink after arriving home.<\/p>\n The complaint says a preliminary breath test showed a result of .151 at 9:17 p.m. A blood sample was later taken at LifeCare Medical Center in Roseau.<\/p>\n The sample was to be sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension<\/a> for analysis.<\/p>\n Court records also list a prior DWI conviction from November 18, 2019, in Red Lake County.<\/p>\n All charges are allegations. Werk is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n![\"Mugshot](\"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WERK-RODNEY-L.jpg\")
<\/p>\nComplaint Details Crash Investigation<\/h2>\n
Alcohol Allegations Listed In Complaint<\/h2>\n