A Fargo man who police say had meth crystals in his nose during a head-on crash east of Osage last week is facing several charges.
John Jason Johnson, age 45, is facing a felony fifth-degree drug possession charge, as well as two gross misdemeanor charges for DWI and for criminal vehicular operation/bodily harm. He's also being charged with misdemeanor driving after revocation.
According to the complaint filed with Becker County District Court, Minnesota State Patrol and Becker County Sheriff's Officers were called to a report of a head-on crash on Highway 34 east of Osage around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2016.
According to the report, when police arrived, Johnson was kneeling down by one of the vehicles with blood all over his face. He told police he had two female passengers with him, but didn't know where they went.
Officers searched for footprints leaving the scene, but there were none.
The report states Johnson appeared lethargic and under the influence; he was taken to a Park Rapids hospital.
Meanwhile, police spoke with the occupants of the minivan that was also involved in the accident. They told police Johnson swerved, crossed the center line and hit them head-on. A witness who was driving directly behind Johnson at the time of the crash corroborated this account and told police that Johnson was the sole passenger in his vehicle - there were not any females with him.
The passenger in the minivan was also transported to the hospital with back pain.
The report goes on to say that while conducting a search of Johnson's clothing, police found a baggie of a white powdery substance the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension identified as methamphetamine. Crystals in Johnson's nose were also tested and proved to be meth.
Johnson was convicted of DWI in March of 2006, and again in July of 2006. He was also convicted of felony delivery of a controlled substance in July of 2014. His driver's license was also suspended.
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