Owatonna man pleads guilty after bus collision

Leif Elijah Haugland, 36, of Owatonna, pleaded guilty recently to one felony charge, after being accused of being in a bus crash in Dodge County.
According to the complaint, on Nov. 16 a Dodge County deputy was informed about a vehicle incident involving a school bus and minivan. He was advised that the minivan left the scene at a high rate of speed, and witnesses were able to provide a description of the minivan, the plate number and the male driver. The deputy was able to catch up to the vehicle where he then activated his emergency lights and sirens, but the vehicle did not pull over and stop for several miles. When the vehicle pulled to the side and stopped, Haugland exited the vehicle and was placed into custody without incident. The deputy observed that Haugland’s speech was slurred, his eyes were watery, and Haugland had difficulty standing on his own. Haugland also had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and person. At this time, a PBT was administered and registered .18, which is more than twice the legal limit.
A Dodge County sergeant located a partially used bottle of Crown Royal Apple on the passenger’s front floor. The minivan had substantial damage to the left front end and a smashed windshield. It was also observed that the minivan had fresh yellow paint from the hood to the mid windshield.At that point the deputy transported Haugland to the the Sheriff’s Office for further testing. During the transport, Haugland freely spoke about the incident, stating that he had too much to drink, having problems with alcohol, and stated that he had interest in pressing charges against the bus driver since his neck hurt during the incident where Haugland stated the bus pulled out in front of him. Once at the Sheriff’s Office a intoxilyzer DMT test was administered, and Haugland registered at .16. Haugland pleaded guilty to one felony charge of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle,  and a gross misdemeanor third-degree DWI charge.
Haugland’s sentencing is scheduled for March 27.