Orono Man Charged In Crash That Killed Son Of Gophers Coach

ORONO, MN — A 51-year-old Orono man has been charged with four counts of criminal vehicular homicide in a single-car crash that killed both of his passengers. Police say James Blue was driving drunk when the crash took place the night of July 24.

Mack Motzko, of Deephaven — the 20-year-old son of Gophers men's hockey coach Bob Motzko — was one of the two passengers who were killed. Samuel Schuneman, 24, of Scottsdale was also killed.

Blue’s blood alcohol content was 0.175 at the time of the crash, more than twice the legal limit, according to the criminal complaint.

Blue faces up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. He was arrested July 24 but was released without bail on July 27, when charges were pending.

Police said the crash occurred just after 11:30 a.m. July 24, and Orono police found the 2017 Bentley Flying Spur driven by Blue in the woods nears North Shore Drive in Orono. The car was underneath a tree that it uprooted.

Blue and Motzko were taken to North Memorial Hospital, where Motzko died. The second passenger was declared dead at the scene.

Blue was flung 10 feet from the car in the crash, according to the criminal complaint. Blue was conscious and told officers he was "sorry," and admitted to drinking and being "guilty," police said.

Before the crash, the three were at a party, according to the criminal complaint. Blue was taking shots of alcohol and had eaten THC gummies, witnesses at the party told police.

Hospital staff found THC gummies and crushed-up white pills and green capsules in Blue's pocket, according to the criminal complaint.

Electronics from Blue’s Bentley showed he was driving between 94 and 99 mph when he crashed, police said. The speed limit in that area ranges from 35 to 45 miles per hour, according to the criminal complaint.