Driver in Crash That Killed Mack Motzko Sentenced to Prison

(KNSI) — The Orono man arrested in connection to a crash that killed 20-year-old Cathedral High School grad Mack Motzko and another man is heading to prison.

Fifty-two-year-old James Blue was initially charged with four counts of criminal vehicular homicide after the crash in July. Prosecutors later tacked on two counts of third-degree murder. As part of the plea deal signed last month, Blue pled guilty to two counts of criminal vehicular homicide, and the murder charges were dismissed. Hennepin County Judge Regina Chu sentenced Blue Thursday to seven and a half years in prison.

James Blue’s blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit on July 24th. He was driving nearly 100 miles an hour on a curvy road along Lake Minnetonka when he lost control and careened into a wooded area. Motzko died at the hospital. Twenty-four-year-old Sam Schuneman was pronounced dead at the scene. Blue was ejected and found about ten feet away from the car, injured but conscious. Court papers say Blue told officers at the scene he was the driver of the car and that he was sorry. Crushed white pills, green capsules, and THC gummies were allegedly found in his pockets by hospital staff.

A woman at a party at Blue’s house that night said she saw Blue drinking and eating THC gummies. She told police she urged Motzko and Schuneman not to get in the car.

The families of Motzko and Schuneman released the following statement through their attorneys following Blue’s sentencing:

“While today’s outcome cannot compare to the life sentence our two families have been given with the loss of our beloved sons, Mack and Sam, we hope it sends a clear and strong message that there are serious consequences for drunk driving and those that drive while impaired will be held accountable. We express our thanks to the Court for the professional and compassionate manner in which it has handled this horrific and senseless tragedy. We will be making no further statements at this time and ask for privacy as we continue to process and grieve the loss of Mack and Sam.”

Motzko is the son of former St. Cloud State University Hockey Coach Bob Motzko. He coached the Huskies for 13 years before taking the helm of the University of Minnesota Gopher men’s hockey team in 2018.

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