New London man makes first appearance for alleged drunken driving accident

WILLMAR - The New London man who failed to make a court appearance Wednesday on charges stemming from an accident injuring himself and seriously injuring his passenger was taken into custody and appeared Friday in Kandiyohi County District Court.
Cory Michael Schmitz, 28, faces two charges of felony criminal vehicular homicide or operation - operating a motor vehicle with negligence and under the influence of alcohol - as well as two charges of misdemeanor driving while intoxicated.
A warrant was issued after for Schmitz failed to appear Wednesday. He is now in custody at the Kandiyohi County Jail.
Unconditional bond and cash bail were set at $25,000 and conditional bond and cash bail were set at $1,000. Schmitz was also placed on electronic alcohol monitoring and ordered to have no contact with the accident victim, a 14-year-old passenger. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 29.
According to the criminal complaint, a Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s deputy arrived at the accident scene June 28 to find an overturned pickup truck and two males lying in the ditch.
Schmitz and his passenger were transported to Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.
X-rays revealed injuries including a shoulder, spinal and rib fracture to the 14-year-old, who was then flown to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis for further treatment.
The deputy obtained a search warrant for a sample of Schmitz’s blood and traveled to Rice Memorial Hospital. His blood sample revealed a 0.176 percent alcohol content, more than twice the legal limit of
0.08 percent.