On July 1, 2022, at 7:14 pm, Scott County Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch received a report of an unresponsive bicyclist who had been struck by a vehicle and found near Zachary Avenue and 260th Street East (CR2) in Cedar Lake Township.
Police and fire were dispatched, and upon arrival, located a juvenile who was deceased. Shortly thereafter, deputies were approached by Joseph Benjamin Friedges of Lakeville (72), who stated he had struck the victim with his truck. He stated he was driving eastbound on 260th Street East when he left the roadway and later realized he struck the victim. Heavy front end damage was visible on Friedges’ 2003 GMC truck.
Deputies detected an odor of alcohol coming from Friedges and conducted field sobriety tests. Friedges was then placed under arrest, transported to the Scott County Jail, and booked on suspicion of Criminal Vehicular Homicide.
The victim’s name and age will be released at a later time by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office.
“Our hearts are broken for a family who lost their child yesterday,” said Sheriff Luke Hennen. “This is a tragic reminder that it is never okay to drink and drive.”
The Scott County Sheriff’s Office and Minnesota State Patrol are investigating this incident.
The Scott County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this incident by Elko New Market Police Department, Elko New Market Fire Department, Minnesota State Patrol, and the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office.
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