Charges: Woman, two children injured by driver likely high off aerosol duster

An erratic driver who injured a woman and two young children in a crash near Rochester this week is suspected of huffing aerosol dusters, according to new criminal charges.

Prosecutors in Olmsted County on Tuesday charged Jordan Heimer, 31, of Rose Creek, with criminal vehicular operation and DWI in connection with the crash, which happened shortly after 11 a.m. Monday on 40th Street Southwest in Rochester Township.

According to the criminal complaint, dispatchers initially received a report of Silverado pickup truck parked in the middle of Highway 63 with the driver appearing asleep or passed out.

Moments later, the Silverado began traveling northbound at speeds of up to 75 mph and was seen swerving "all over" before colliding with an eastbound minivan and injuring three of its occupants.

A woman and two girls under the age of five were taken to the hospital with injuries, charges state. All three had broken bones and one of the children suffered a broken collarbone.

Investigators found a can of Surf Onn duster laying near the gas pedal, as well as three empty cans in the backseat, which had small red tubes taped to them.

Heimer allegedly denied being stopped on the road prior to the crash and told investigators he uses the duster cans "for his job when dealing with IT issues," the complaint states.

Heimer appeared "confused and lethargic" and the investigator at the scene determined Heimer, who has previous impaired driving convictions, was likely impaired by the duster products.

This week, lawmakers at the Minnesota Legislature advanced proposed legislation within an omnibus bill aimed at reducing addiction and death related to huffing aerosol dusters.

If it becomes law, the bill will require business to keep the products behind the checkout counter, limit transactions to three cans and restrict purchases to those 21 and older.