Stillwater Woman Charged After Alleged Drunken Driving Crash Left Man With Fractured Spine
Published: July 7th, 2026.
WASHINGTON COUNTY: A Stillwater woman is facing a felony criminal vehicular operation charge after prosecutors allege she caused a crash while impaired by alcohol that left another driver with a fractured spine.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Washington County, Terri Lea Nelson, 56, has been charged with one count of criminal vehicular operation resulting in substantial bodily harm while under the influence of alcohol, a felony punishable by up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
According to the complaint, the crash occurred at approximately 8:50 p.m. on July 2 at the intersection of Manning Avenue North and 75th Street in Stillwater Township.
Responding officers reportedly found a white sedan blocking the northbound lanes of Manning Avenue and a black Chevrolet Impala in a ditch. The driver of the Impala was trapped inside the vehicle, according to the complaint.
Prosecutors allege Nelson was driving the sedan. A 17-year-old passenger in her vehicle suffered minor leg injuries.
According to the complaint, Nelson told investigators she was attempting to turn left from southbound Manning Avenue onto 75th Street while the traffic signal was flashing yellow. She allegedly said she did not see the northbound Impala before the collision.
Investigators reported finding an empty bottle of wine inside Nelson's vehicle. Officers also allegedly observed that she had slurred speech and appeared dazed.
The complaint states Nelson denied drinking alcohol but told officers she had taken oxycodone and lorazepam about eight hours before the crash.
According to the complaint, Nelson performed a Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus field sobriety test, during which officers observed additional signs of impairment. A preliminary breath test allegedly measured her blood alcohol concentration at 0.223, nearly three times Minnesota's legal limit of 0.08.
Investigators later obtained a search warrant for a blood sample. The complaint states Nelson provided the sample after being advised that refusing to do so is a crime. The sample has been submitted to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for analysis.
The driver of the Impala, identified in the complaint only as E.C.M., was transported to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with a fractured spine. Prosecutors allege those injuries constitute substantial bodily harm under Minnesota law.
The allegations in the criminal complaint are accusations. Nelson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.