UPDATE: Drugs and Alcohol Not a Factor in Lawmakers’ Snowmobile Crash

Originally posted February 7th, 2022 at 12:25 p.m.

Updated February 9th, 2022 at 7:58 a.m.

(KNSI) – The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office says drugs and alcohol were not a factor in a snowmobile crash that seriously injured two state lawmakers.

State Senator John Jasinski of Faribault and Senator Mark Johnson of East Grand Forks were riding on a marked snowmobile trail just south of Motley on Friday afternoon when the trail took a 90-degree left turn. Jasinski was the lead sled, entered the turn at around 10 miles an hour, and was thrown from his machine. Johnson was behind him, and his sled collided with Jasinski’s.

Jasinski suffered three broken ribs, broken pelvis, and a fractured L5 vertebra. He was taken to the Stapels Hospital by ambulance and then airlifted to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale. Johnson was not seriously injured.

The sheriff’s office says there were no signs of impairment at the time of the crash, and it appears speed was a factor. No citations will be issued.

It’s not clear if the two were experienced riders. The sleds were reportedly brand new Polaris models, still owned by Polaris.

Jasinski and Johnson were part of a larger group of senators who were in the area for the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association’s Winter Rendezvous trail ride.

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KNSI News Director Jennifer Lewerenz contributed to this report

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