Prior Lake Man Charged With Criminal Vehicular Operation After Shakopee Crash
Scott County Jail Booking Photo
Published: October 2nd 2026
SHAKOPEE: A Prior Lake man has been charged with gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation after authorities allege he was under the influence of alcohol when a two-vehicle crash left another driver injured Thursday night in Shakopee.
Bailey Joseph Knudson, 31, of Prior Lake, is charged in Scott County District Court with criminal vehicular operation causing bodily harm while under the influence of alcohol. He is also charged with a petty misdemeanor for allegedly failing to yield to oncoming traffic while turning left.
According to the criminal complaint, Shakopee police responded around 8:26 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1, to a two-vehicle crash at County Road 101 East and the Lewis Street Bridge.
Police spoke with the driver of a white Toyota RAV4, who reportedly told officers she was traveling westbound on County Road 101 East and had a green light as she entered the intersection. She alleged another vehicle pulled in front of her, resulting in a collision.
The driver reported arm and leg pain following the crash and was taken to a hospital, according to the complaint.
Police identified Knudson as the driver of the second vehicle, a red 2018 Toyota RAV4. The complaint alleges Knudson told officers he had consumed two beers at the Pullman Club in Shakopee before the crash.
An officer reported smelling alcohol on Knudson and said Knudson repeatedly repeated himself during their conversation. Another officer reported observing watery, glossy eyes and slurred speech.
According to the complaint, Knudson told police he had a blinking yellow light while the other driver had a green light. He reportedly said the two drivers attempted to avoid one another but were unable to do so in time.
Knudson declined standardized field sobriety testing and instead offered to provide a preliminary breath test, according to the complaint. Police allege the preliminary test registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.117.
Knudson was arrested and taken to St. Francis Medical Center. Police obtained a search warrant for a blood sample, which was collected and sent for testing. The complaint does not include the results of that blood test.
The criminal vehicular operation charge carries a maximum possible sentence of 364 days in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.
The allegations contained in the criminal complaint are accusations. Knudson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.