Truck driver appeared ‘groggy, lethargic’ after crash that killed 2 children, 2 adults, according to search warrant

FLOODWOOD, Minn. (KBJR/Gray) - A judge has approved the search warrant for a blood sample from the driver of a semitruck involved in a fatal highway crash.

Investigators hope to learn more about what led to the crash from the blood sample after an officer reported the driver appeared groggy and lethargic following the crash.

Two children and two adults were killed in the collision, which occurred on Highway 2 Wednesday afternoon, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

The victims were identified as 65-year-old Vincent Dow, 66-year-old Bonnie Dow, Hope Oakgrove and Charlotte White, both 9 years old.

Authorities said the Honda Pilot the were traveling in was one of several cars stopped on the highway due to construction when a semitruck driver reportedly failed to slow down and slammed into the vehicles.

A witness told an investigating officer they saw the semitruck weaving over lane lines for several miles prior to the crash, according to a search warrant application.

The witness also said they noticed the semi was traveling at varying speeds, according to the documents.

An officer spoke with the driver, a 63-year-old driver from Grand Rapids, Michigan, while he was hospitalized following the crash.

The officer reported the driver appeared to have had a slower-than-normal reaction time and slow motor movement, according to the search warrant documents. The officers also said the man appeared groggy and lethargic while hospitalized.

It was also reported the driver told the officers that he couldn’t recall anything that had happened before the crash.

A St. Louis County judge approved the search warrant application Wednesday.

According to an application for a search warrant, which was signed by a St. Louis County Judge Wednesday night, an officer spoke with a witness to the crash.

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