Man Said 'Sorry Bro' After Fatal Wrong-Way Crash On I-394: Cops

GOLDEN VALLEY, MN — A 20-year-old St. Anthony man has been charged with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide in Friday's fatal wrong-way crash on Interstate 394.

Joseph P. Maness was driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.20 when he crashed head-on into another vehicle, killing one person and seriously injuring another, police said. Minnesota's legal limit is 0.08.

Maness told police "sorry bro" after the deadly crash, according to the criminal complaint. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

On Feb. 18, troopers with the Minnesota State Patrol responded to a report of a Jeep traveling the wrong way down I-394 in Golden Valley.

Troopers watched as the wrong-way Jeep collided with a Chrysler head-on, according to the criminal complaint.

At the scene, troopers noticed that the driver of the Jeep — identified as Maness — had bloodshot eyes and smelled of alcohol, authorities said. When troopers asked Maness if he knew he was driving the wrong way down I-394, Maness replied, "Sorry bro," according to the criminal complaint.

Maness said he'd had about 10 drinks before getting into his car, according to authorities.

The driver of the Chrysler, a 30-year-old Melrose man, died at the scene. The 21-year-old passenger survived with serious injuries and was transported to the Hennepin County Medical Center.