Rosemount Man With 17 Prior DWIs Was Impaired In Crash: Cops

ROSEMOUNT, MN — A Rosemount man with 17 prior DWI convictions is accused of driving impaired before a crash in the south metro last year. Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom announced Monday that Marshall Anthony Knoll, 59, was charged with criminal vehicular operation, driving while impaired, and driving with a canceled license.

On Oct. 20, 2017 at about 7 p.m., authorities responded to a four-car crash in Vermillion Township near Highway 52 and 210 Street East.

Witnesses told police a truck going northbound on Highway 52 was traveling "erratically" and "at a high rate of speed." Authorities later identified Knoll as the truck driver.

Sign Up For Patch's Daily Newsletter and Breaking News Alerts in Your Neighborhood

When highway traffic came to a halt, Knoll failed to stop and rear-ended another car while going approximately 50 mph, according to investigators. He never hit the brakes before crashing, authorities said.

One victim suffered multiple bone fractures and internal bleeding.

Officers at the scene said Knoll had bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech, lethargic movements and was unsteady on his feet. A blood test revealed Knoll had amphetamine and methamphetamine in his system, according to police.

Authorities say Knoll was charged in March by summons and was arrested July 18.

"Driving under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol poses a significant risk to public safety and too often results in serious injuries or death," Backstrom said in a statement.

Knoll's 17 prior convictions for DWI date back to 1979.

Image via Dakota County Jail