Alleged drunken driver faces criminal vehicular homicide charge in White Bear Lake crash
Authorities allege the driver in a fatal crash in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, on Wednesday had a blood alcohol content more than three times the legal limit.
According to officials, the White Bear Lake Police Department and several other law enforcement agencies were called to a crash between a car and a motorcycle near Highway 61 and Highway 96 around 8:30 p.m. Once on scene, the officers found a 31-year-old woman with injuries. She was taken to a nearby hospital, but later died from her injuries, according to police.
A 63-year-old man, identified in court documents as Robert Marines Rodriguez, was initially arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired and later charged with criminal vehicular homicide. According to the charges, Rodriguez told troopers he was turning left onto Highway 96 and had a yellow arrow. He told troopers he did not see the motorcycle, per the court documents.
Court documents state that Rodriguez's eyes were bloodshot and watery, he performed poorly on sobriety tests and had poor balance. The charges also state that he had a .27 blood alcohol content level at the time.
Court records show Rodriguez was scheduled to make his first court appearance on Friday. According to online records, he was convicted of DWI in 2022 and sentenced to probation. In that case, he had a BAC of .28.
Family says victim was avid motorcyclist
A Stillwater woman is being remembered for her love of motorcycles and her ability to light up a room after she was killed in a suspected drunken driving crash Wednesday night in White Bear Lake.
Brianna Weeks says her sister, 31-year-old Dana Lucker-Milan, was the victim who was fatally struck. Her family says the loss has been devastating and preventable.
"There's just so many words to describe her," Weeks said. "Some of the big ones are just funny, free-spirited, so much love to give, big-hearted."
Weeks says her sister was part of a motorcycle group and was out riding. Milan grew up around motorcycles and has a passion for riding.
"She would ride it with her friends. She would ride and it was just therapy," Weeks said. "Just wanting to get out of the house a little bit on a nice day. She just enjoyed being on two wheels and riding her bike.
As the investigation continues, family and friends have placed flowers near the intersection where the crash occurred and they plan to honor Milan's life in the weeks to come.
