20-Year-Old Motorist Charged for Crash Near Rochester Shopping Center

Rochester, MN (RochesterNow)- A Rochester man has been charged for an injury crash that happened near a local shopping center earlier this year. 

See Also: Multiple People Injured in Three-Vehicle Crash in Rural Southeast Rochester 

The criminal complaint, filed in Olmsted County Court this week, indicates the crash occurred shortly before 8 p.m. on June 19. Two vehicles were involved in the crash. 

20-Year-Old Rochester Man Charged for Injury Crash at Entrance to Crossroads Shopping Center

The collision occurred at the intersection of South Broadway Ave. and 14th St. SE, which is also at the South Broadway entrance to the Cross Roads Shopping Center. 

First responders found one of the vehicles overturned on its roof in the ditch and observed another vehicle in the ditch. Both vehicles were on the west side of South Broadway. 

The driver and lone occupant of the overturned vehicle was conscious but trapped inside, the charges say. First responders freed him and transported him to a hospital. 

He suffered a small brain bleed and fractures to two of his ribs and to his right clavicle, the complaint says. 

Witness Report Erratic Driving Prior to Rochester Crash

Witnesses told law enforcement that the person operating the other vehicle was driving erratically and at a high rate of speed southbound on Broadway Ave. He was seen weaving in and out of traffic, the court document says. 

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A person who witnessed the crash told investigators they saw the suspect vehicle cut across South Broadway from the left lane to the entrance of the Crossroads Shopping Center when it collided with the victim’s vehicle, according to the complaint. 

20-year-old Celius Elie was identified as the driver of the suspect vehicle. In a statement to law enforcement Elie said he was “bumping music” and that he wanted Chick-Fil-A, according to the complaint. 

Elie is charged by summons with two counts of gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation. He’s scheduled to make his first court appearance early next year.