9-Year-Old Dies After Wrong Way Crash With Suspected Drunk Driver
ROCHESTER, Minn. (WCCO) -- Authorities say a 9-year-old boy is dead because a man was driving drunk on the wrong side of a Rochester street.
Fifty-seven-year-old Gerald Mohs now faces multiple charges of criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular operation.
According to the complaint, the accident occurred around 8 p.m. Saturday night at the 1400 block of 12th Street SE. Officers arrived to find three vehicles on the scene. According to witness reports, Mohs first struck the front of a Mountaineer and then struck a Kia Spectra head-on, after traveling the wrong way on 12th Street.
"Forced three vehicles off the road. One swerved prior to impact. One he clipped the side of and the following vehicle was struck head-on," Captain John Sherwin said.
Witnesses reported that Mohs left the scene after the crash, and after asking one of the witnesses for a light.
Court records say he had a blood alcohol content of more than twice the legal limit and he hadn't had a valid driver's license for decades.
Nine-year-old William Siems, of Plainview, died at St. Mary's Hospital, after the crash, according to the Post Bulletin. He was in the Kia Spectra driven by his aunt when it was hit head-on.
The complaint states Mohs' wife told officers they were at Treasure Island Casino earlier that day, returned to Rochester, had an argument and around 6 p.m., Mohs left their house in her Jeep.
At approximately 10:40 p.m., an officer on patrol saw a person matching Mohs' description "staggering" along Broadway Avenue, according to the complaint. Mohs was placed under arrest. The officer noticed several injuries to his chest, hands and right arm.
In an interview with police, Mohs said he drove to a bar, possibly two, and drank alcohol. He told the officer he did not remember getting into an accident and could not explain his injuries, according to the report.
Mohs hasn't had a valid driver's license since 1986. His driving privileges were cancelled in 1979.
Willy's cousin Jeremiah Bishop sustained serious injuries in the accident and remains at St. Mary's Hospital.
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If you would like to help the family of William Siems, a fund has been set up with the Home Federal Savings of Rochester.
Call 507-536-2416 or 507-535-1309 for information on how to donate.
