Man Charged in Crow Wing County Motorcycle Crash

22-year-old Austin Reed Walden was charged Tuesday with gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation and driving while intoxicated following a motorcycle crash Saturday that not only injured himself but his passenger 26- year- old Emily Koester at Brainerd International Raceway, north of Baxter.

The Breezy Point Police Department responded to the call of a motorcycle crash that was reported at 10:52 p.m. Police identified the driver of the motorcycle as Austin Reed Walden of Lexington, who was sitting on the ground next to a motorcycle that was on its side. The passenger was identified as Emily Koester of Binghamton, New York.

Crow Wing County District Court documents report witnesses stated that Walden failed to negotiate a turn causing motorcycle to crash. Walden spoke to officers who reported that Walden spoke with slurred speech and smelled strongly of alcohol.

Emily Koester complained of pain to her left leg and knee and was taken by ambulance personnel.