A Hibbing motorist was under the influence of methadone when he critically injured a motorcyclist near Tower on Saturday, according to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday in District Court in Virginia.
Michael David Holman, 40, was charged with four felony counts --- three of criminal vehicular operation resulting in great bodily harm and one for possession of methadone -- and two gross misdemeanor counts of driving while impaired. He is being held at the St. Louis County Jail on $20,000 bail.
Holman was driving west on Minnesota Highway 169 at Flaim Road, seven miles south of Tower, at 9:45 a.m. Saturday when his 2003 Oldsmobile Alero crossed the center line and struck a 2010 Harley Davidson driven by Lonnie Scipioni, 57, of Hibbing, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
Scipioni was thrown from his motorcycle. He was airlifted to St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth with critical injuries. The Patrol said he was not wearing a helmet.
According to the criminal complaint, Scipioni lost his right leg and had multiple broken bones, a crushed pelvis, internal injuries and a traumatic brain injury. He was listed in serious condition this afternoon, an SMDC spokeswoman said.
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According to the criminal complaint: "Holman stated that the first time he saw the motorcycle was just before 'it ran into me.' "
"It appeared to (State Patrol) Trooper Goman that Holman was highly impaired," the complaint said. "Trooper Goman observed that Holman's behavior was erractic and his speech was very slurred and hard to understand. Holman did not respond appropriately to many of Trooper Goman's questions and his answers were not consistent."
Holman's pupils were also very constricted, and he failed field sobriety tests, the complaint said.
Officers found a plastic vial, cap and pill capsule in the ditch next to the car. Holman admitted the container came from his car, the complaint said.
A search of court records found numerous past charges against Holman, including several for speeding, two for driving after suspension, unlawful passing and DWI.
Because of Holman's criminal history and the severity of Scipioni's injuries, the state intends to seek a tougher-than-guideline sentence if Holman is found guilty. His next court appearance is scheduled for Monday.
