Charges: Driver denied being behind the wheel in crash that critically injured child

A North Branch man is believed to have been under the influence of drugs and alcohol when he caused a two-vehicle crash in Stacy on Saturday that left a six-year-old girl fighting for her life, according to new criminal charges.

A criminal complaint filed Tuesday alleges 39-year-old Joe D. Campbell climbed out of the passenger side door after the crash and claimed a woman had been driving.

"All evidence from the scene refuted this assertion," the complaint reads, noting Campbell smelled of alcohol at the scene.

The crash happened around 10:30 a.m. Saturday near the intersection of Stacy Trail and Falcon Avenue North where Campbell – allegedly traveling at a high rate of speed and fishtailing – collided with the driver's side door of a Volkswagen sedan, occupied by two adults, one teenager and a six-year-old girl.

The driver of the Volkswagen told investigators he'd been exiting the Kwik Trip and turning left when they were struck.

The six-year-old rear passenger of the Volkswagen was airlifted to Gillette Children's Hospital, where she is intubated in the intensive care unit, according to charges.

Her injuries include a subarachnoid hemorrhage and a collapsed lung with respiratory failure.

The other three vehicle occupants were also injured, although their injuries are non-life-threatening.

According to the criminal complaint, Campbell's behavior "fluctuated dramatically" while at the hospital. He had difficulty staying awake and would at times become extremely hostile towards hospital staff, "but then later would calm down and be very apologetic," charges detail.

The complaint states deputies suspect Campbell was impaired by a controlled substance.

Toxicology tests are pending with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Campbell is charged is Chisago County District Court with four counts of criminal vehicular operation.