Lakeville Man Blamed Crash That Killed Boy, 15, On Sneeze: Police

SCOTT COUNTY, MN — A Lakeville man is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol before fatally striking a 15-year-old boy who was riding a bicycle.

Joseph B. Friedges, 72, is charged with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide.

On July 1 just after 7 p.m., officers with the Scott County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to a crash on Zachary Avenue and 260th Street West in Cedar Lake Township.

Police said a bystander reported that a bicyclist, later identified as a 15-year-old, was dead.

At the scene, Friedges told police that he was driving eastbound on 260th Street approaching Zachary Avenue — with his cruise control set at 55 miles per hour — when he sneezed and went into the south ditch, according to the criminal complaint.

Friedges told police that he did not realize he hit anyone until he looked back and saw the body in the road, according to authorities. Friedges did not call the police, investigators said.

An officer speaking with Friedges noted an odor of alcohol and his red eyes, the criminal complaint states. An officer found a box of Smirnoff in his car, according to investigators.

Friedges admitted to drinking a couple of Sprite and vodkas before driving, the criminal complaint states.

A preliminary breath test showed a result of .05, police said. Authorities said they are waiting on the results of a blood test.

Minnesota's legal alcohol-concentration driving limit is 0.08, but drivers can be arrested at lower levels.

Police said the teen was biking near the shoulder of Zachary Avenue and 260th Street East.

While going eastbound on 206th street, Friedges crossed into the westbound lane and went into the north ditch, authorities said. Friedges then drove his car back into the road and struck the boy near the intersection of Zachary Avenue before going into the south ditch, according to the criminal complaint.