According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by the Minnesota State Patrol, officerswere at the scene of a head-on crash near Cutface Creek on March 23 when they received a call from responding firefighters that they had been passed by a vehicle, driven by Frederick Rudolph Sobanja, 60, of Creechville Road, Grand Marais, chairman of the Cook County board of commissioners.
The trooper’s report described the roads as very icy with rain and freezing rain. He wrote that the highway was so slippery that he himself could barely maintain a 40 mph speed without losing control.
Sobanja told officers he was justified in passing the fire truck because he felt it was traveling too slow at 45 mph. Sobanja also said he was a “good driver” at 50 mph on icy roads and he has driven “a million miles on this road.” In addition, Sobanja said he had new tires and a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Sobanja also said he felt he had to hit his brakes unjustly while he was in Grand Marais because the emergency vehicle pulled out too soon in front of him, and he didn’t know where it was going. Lastly, Sobanja told police he was unsure of traffic laws and when he should stop.
A computer check indicated that Sobanja’s address as listed was no longer current, resulting in additional charges.
Sobanja appeared before Judge Kenneth Sandvik on Wednesday, July 8 without legal representation. He entered a conditional not guilty plea and asked for, and was granted, a continuance of two weeks. He will appear in court again on Wednesday, July 22 at 10:00 a.m.
In all, Sobanja faces four charges: careless driving and failure to change his address, both misdemeanors punishable by 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine; and following a fire truck closer than 500 feet and failure to drive with due care, both petty misdemeanors with a maximum $300 fine.
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