Yaneli Elena Franco, 20,<\/strong> was charged in a criminal complaint filed Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in connection with a September 13 crash that injured Franco and her passenger.<\/p>\n The charges include felony first-degree criminal damage to property, gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation causing bodily harm, and misdemeanor fourth-degree driving while impaired.<\/p>\n According to the criminal complaint, the crash occurred at approximately 2:03 a.m. on September 13 near the intersection of Nora Street and Spruce Avenue in Thief River Falls.<\/p>\n Police responded after Franco’s mother reported that her daughter had rolled a vehicle and could not be located.<\/p>\n Officers arrived to find the vehicle resting on its roof.<\/p>\n A nearby shed used by Franklin Middle School football players had been damaged in the collision. Authorities estimated the damage at $8,413<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Shortly after officers arrived at the crash scene, dispatch reported that Franco had appeared at the Law Enforcement Center to turn herself in.<\/p>\n According to the complaint, Franco told investigators she had consumed cocaine, other unspecified drugs, and approximately five alcoholic drinks before driving.<\/p>\n She reportedly estimated her speed at 70 to 80 mph before the crash.<\/p>\n Franco also allegedly told police that she had been arguing with her passenger, Michael Rodriguez Lopez, and became angry enough to press the accelerator too far down.<\/p>\n According to the complaint, she said Rodriguez Lopez attempted to grab the steering wheel as they approached a stop sign. The vehicle subsequently turned and rolled.<\/p>\n Investigators reported that Franco initially claimed she was alone in the vehicle before later acknowledging that Rodriguez Lopez was her passenger.<\/p>\n Both occupants sustained injuries in the crash.<\/p>\n The complaint states that Franco suffered contusions to her face and wrist, while Rodriguez Lopez sustained a small abrasion to his head.<\/p>\n Both sought medical treatment at Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls.<\/p>\n Rodriguez Lopez reportedly told investigators the vehicle overturned following an argument between the two. He also described losing consciousness during the incident.<\/p>\n According to the complaint, the pair went to a friend’s residence to change clothes after the crash.<\/p>\n Investigators later obtained a search warrant for a sample of Franco’s blood.<\/p>\n The sample was submitted to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for analysis.<\/p>\n The supplied report does not include the laboratory findings or establish Franco’s blood alcohol concentration at the time of the crash.<\/p>\n Franco faces felony first-degree criminal damage to property under Minnesota Statute 609.595<\/a>, gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation resulting in bodily harm under Minnesota Statute 609.2113<\/a>, and misdemeanor fourth-degree DWI under Minnesota Statute 169A.27<\/a>.<\/p>\n The criminal complaint alleges that Franco’s driving resulted in injuries and substantial property damage. The precise legal elements of each offense must be established through the court process.<\/p>\n No verified court file number, hearing date, or final disposition was included in the supplied report.<\/p>\n Additional case information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n All charges remain allegations. Franco is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\nVehicle Found Upside Down Near Franklin Middle School<\/h2>\n
Driver Allegedly Admitted Using Alcohol and Cocaine<\/h2>\n
Driver and Passenger Injured in Rollover<\/h2>\n
Blood Sample Sent to State Crime Laboratory<\/h2>\n
Three Criminal Charges Filed<\/h2>\n
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