Two Minnesota teenagers are lucky to be alive after a convicted felon allegedly drove drunk the wrong way and crashed head-on into their SUV.
The crash happened April 11 on Highway 71 in Wadena County.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, 46-year-old Francisco Castro Lorenzo was traveling southbound in the northbound lane near mile marker 251 when he struck the teens’ vehicle.
A 16-year-old girl from Menahga and her 16-year-old male passenger from Sebeka were taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids with non-life threatening injuries.
According to a criminal complaint, Castro Lorenzo appeared “intoxicated and confused” when officers arrived on the scene around 10:12 p.m. When he exited the vehicle, “a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was coming from his person.” The complaint says officers had difficulty understanding what Castro Lorenzo was saying because of a “language barrier as well as slurred speech,” but he admitted to having “too much” to drink.
“The officer asked Defendant (Castro Lorenzo) for his identification and he provided an ID from Guatemala which, identified him as ‘Castro Lorenzo Francisco’. Defendant asked if he could urinate on the side of the road and the officer told him to have a seat on the ground. Defendant did not listen and walked into the ditch and relieved himself,” the complaint says.
The victims of the crash told police that they were traveling north on Highway 71 when Castro Lorenzo’s vehicle “swerved into their lane and the two vehicles collided.” A witness told police that she observed Castro Lorenzo’s vehicle “traveling south bound in the north bound lane.”
According to the complaint, Castro Lorenzo “possessed a Guatemalan passport and identification card and there were some issues with Defendant’s actual name.”
“Officer White advised that he would contact the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency in attempt for them to assist with providing information on Defendant’s Identity. Border Patrol – Grand Forks dispatch center, advised they would assist with having an Agent get into contact with officers to assist in identifying Defendant,” the complaint states.
Blood alcohol more than twice the legal limit
In court earlier this week, prosecutors stated that Castro Lorenzo had a blood alcohol content of 0.16—double the legal limit.
Castro Lorenzo—who was on felony probation out of Otter Tail County at the time of the crash—is now facing charges of third-degree DWI, criminal vehicular operation, and driving without a valid license, according to court records. The complaint states he “does not have a driver’s license.”
During his first court appearance, his public defender indicated that Castro Lorenzo does not speak English or Spanish, but instead speaks Quiché—a Mayan language still spoken in parts of Guatemala. The court was advised that a Quiché-speaking translator would be needed for future hearings.
Released on no bond
The state argued that Castro Lorenzo—a convicted felon—posed a “flight risk,” saying he had no ties to Wadena County, no driver’s license, and his only form of identification was from a foreign country.
Prosecutors also said there was probable cause that his blood alcohol content was above 0.16, more than twice the legal limit. They asked for his conditional release to be set at $500 bail/$5,000 bond.
Judge Nathaniel Welte—a Walz appointee—released him without posting bail or bond, under conditions that he remain law-abiding and comply with a list of supervision terms, including electronic alcohol monitoring.
Alpha News inquired about Castro Lorenzo’s immigration status, given his stated language and foreign identification. The Wadena County Sheriff’s Office said it could not provide that information. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told Alpha News it “has no involvement with this individual at this time.”
Unlike Cass, Crow Wing, and Itasca counties, Wadena County has not entered into a cooperation agreement with ICE, according to Sahan Journal.
In 2023, Castro Lorenzo was convicted of felony identity theft.
The incident remains under investigation. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 12 at 1:30 p.m.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
