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Allegedly under the influence of a controlled substance

 

An Austin man who allegedly caused a Monday motor vehicle accident while trying to evade police made his first appearance on Thursday in Mower County District Court.

Jordan Lee Hernandez Cox, 29, has been charged with felony first-degree DWI – under the influence of a controlled substance, felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation – bodily harm – under the influence of a controlled substance, and gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation – inimical to public safety.

According to the court complaint, law enforcement officers were dispatched at approximately 1:34 p.m. on May 11 to the 900 block of West Oakland Avenue on a report of an intoxicated driver. A witness advised that the male suspect, later identified as Cox, was driving a 2008 Dodge Avenger with Minnesota license AUD802.

An officer located the Dodge parked in the 700 block of First Avenue Northwest and saw Cox get into the driver’s seat and drive east. The officer followed the vehicle as it turned north on Sixth Street Northwest and then west on Third Avenue Northwest, where the officer initiated a traffic stop. Cox sped off and turned south on 11th Street Northwest, then stopped in the intersection of 11th Street and Second Avenue Northwest, where the officer attempted to order Cox out of the vehicle. Cox continued south past another squad car and turned east on First Avenue Northwest.

The officer continued to follow the Dodge and saw it turn south on 10th Street Northwest and then crash into a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country van.

The officer and a Mower County deputy arrived at the location and saw Cox walking away from the Dodge. The deputy detained Cox and the officer went to the van. He observed that the van’s driver, an 88-year-old male, had a large laceration on his left forearm. The driver also complained of pain to the left side of his body (shoulder, neck and knee) and was transported to the hospital by Mayo Ambulance Service.

A witness estimated that Cox was driving about 40 mph when he crashed into the van. Two other witnesses told police they saw Cox’s vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign and strike the van.

The officer read Cox a Miranda warning, but Cox was abusive and uncooperative. The officer observed that Cox had dilated pupils and bloodshot, watery eyes. His body movements were also very sluggish and the officer believed Cox was under the influence of a narcotic.

Cox was transported to Mayo Clinic Health System – Austin and the officer was granted a search warrant for a sample of Cox’s blood. A Mayo Clinic phlebotomist took Cox’s blood sample, which was sent to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension laboratory for analysis. Cox was later transported to the Mower County Jail.

A review of Cox’s criminal record shows prior convictions for DWI, fleeing a peace officer, assault, motor vehicle theft and aggravated robbery.

Cox will appear in court again on May 28.