Alleged Drunk Driver Totals Classic Car and More

Over the past two weeks, anyone passing through Preston on Highway 52 has probably seen a black tarp covering a vehicle on the lot of Preston Service Plus.  Passersby probably also noticed signs had been struck along with damage to the north side of the long-time body shop.

The Statement of Probable Cause – Verbatim

“On or about August 8, 2025, at approximately 1:25 AM, Trooper Alex Molitor with the Minnesota State Patrol responded to a crash on Highway 52 near Houston Street in the City of Preston, Fillmore County, MN. Upon arrival, Molitor observed a 2018 GMC Sierra off the southbound lane of Highway 52. Prior to the collision, the GMC was traveling southbound on Highway 52 before veering off the lane of travel and striking a stop sign and a road sign. The GMC continued forward and crashed into an unoccupied classic 1973 Dodge that was parked at Preston Service Plus and then drove along the exterior wall of Preston Service Plus, causing substantial damage to the building. The GMC sustained severe and disabling damage to the front bumper and passenger side. 

Other first responders were on scene and speaking with the driver of the GMC, later identified as COLTON JAMES PAGE (DOB: 08/31/1992). Molitor introduced himself to Page and asked where he was coming from. Page said he had just left his friend’s house. Page said his friend was driving the vehicle and he was a passenger. Page said he didn’t know his friend’s name and didn’t have his phone number. Molitor asked for Page’s automobile insurance. Page was unable to provide the insurance information. Page is listed as the registered owner of the GMC. 

While speaking with Page, Molitor noticed several signs of impairment, including the odor of a consumed alcoholic beverage, bloodshot/watery eyes, poor balance, fidgety, talkative, loud, and argumentative. Page also repeated the same questions and statements several times. Molitor requested Page perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). Page refused SFSTs and a Preliminary Breath Test. Molitor advised Page that he was being detained while Molitor gathered additional information for the investigation. 

Molitor inspected the vehicle and found that the driver’s side seatbelt was locked to the B-pillar, indicating it was not worn at the time of the crash. The driver’s side front and curtain airbags deployed, but the passenger’s side airbags had not deployed. 

Page spoke with a witness (“Witness”) who had overheard the crash from his house in town and went to see if everyone was okay. Witness estimated one minute and thirty seconds had passed between the crash and when he arrived to the vehicle. Witness said he spoke with Page who was leaning on the passenger side of the GMC. Witness asked if everyone was okay, and Page told him that he was the only one involved. 

Molitor returned to Page and advised him that he was being placed under arrest for DUI. Page was transported to the Fillmore County Jail to complete a breath test advisory. Molitor read Page the breath test advisory. Page indicated he wished to contact an attorney. Page was provided with the necessary items to contact an attorney. Page did not attempt to contact an attorney and was instead argumentative and belligerent. Molitor reminded him that this was the time to contact an attorney. Molitor eventually asked if Page would take the breath test, and Page refused. Molitor advised Page that he would be charged with refusal. Page was transported to Winona Health per the jail’s policy before being cleared for transport to the Winona County Jail.

A review of Page’s driving record shows his status is Revoked.

A review of Page’s criminal history shows he was convicted of 4th Degree DWI on June 6, 2024 in Dakota County.”

1973 Dodge Dart Swinger

Back in April 2024, the 1973 Dodge Dart Swinger starred in the Fillmore County Journal Spring Car Care Section when reporter Wanda Hanson encapsulated the history of the vehicle.  This wasn’t just a story about a classic car.  This was a story about what eventually became a member of Jason Hovey’s future family.  His future memories.  His future legacy.  

This Dodge Dart had been a part of five weddings, multiple proms and parades.  It was a vehicle he hoped to pass on to his children some day.

He bought the car in 1995 for $900, rusty and beat up, and with the help of his brother Casey turned it into something to be admired by the classic car community.  His son Connor drove it to prom.  His two daughters looked forward to that same opportunity.  Jason and his wife Amanda took it out for special occasions.  All the hard work dating back to when he was 15 years old – 30 years later and it is gone – at the hands of an alleged drunk driver.

Even if you don’t factor in the value of the vehicle, which could range from $50,000 to $80,000, the time Jason has invested in this car over the past three decades is immeasurable.  There isn’t a price you can put on this 1973 Dodge Dart Swinger for Jason and Amanda Hovey.  While in high school, Jason busted his butt working for a landscaper and milking cows in rural Cresco to make enough money to begin restoration of this vehicle.   He has literally replaced every piece of this timeless classic throughout the process.

Hoveys are still waiting to see what happens with insurance for their irreplaceable car.  As Jason said, “My son said it best.  He said that ‘I know nobody died, but it sure feels like it’.”

Preston Service Plus

At this point, Preston Service Plus owners Justin Jones and Craig Bond are hoping they see insurance covering the cost of damage and repairs to the north side of their building, but it is a slow process.

It was quite the shock for Justin and Craig when they found out what had happened to their building but also their customers Jason and Amanda Hovey.  Preston Service Plus was left with a gaping hole, the result of Colton Page driving his pickup into the sidewall of the building.  That was the cinderblock he hit, but that didn’t seem to slow him down.

Justin and Craig feel horrible about what happened to Hovey’s Dodge Dart.  Hovey’s Dodge Dart sitting in that spot was purely happenstance.  Jason Hovey had an issue with the starter weeks ago, so he left it at Preston Service Plus for repair.  The body shop kept the vehicle behind their facility for a couple weeks while they waited for the starter to arrive.  The Dodge Dart was struck by the alleged drunk driver within eight hours after the classic car had been parked out in front of the building ready for pickup.

Consequences

Colton James Page was arrested after the accident occurred at approximately 1:25 a.m. on Friday, August 8.  Page was booked at Winona County Jail at 5:23 a.m., since Fillmore County Jail was not able to accept inmates at that time.  He was “Released on his Own Recognizance,” with zero bail at 1:31 p.m. by Judge Jeremy Clinefelter that same day.  Approximately 12 hours after the accident.

Colton James Page is facing Count I – 2nd Degree DWI, Count II – 3rd Degree DWI, Count III – Traffic – Careless Driving, Count IV – Driving After Revocation, and Count V – Failure To Provide Proof of Insurance.

Court records show that Colton Page has had prior convictions relating to DWI, driving after revocation, open bottle, possession of drugs and paraphernalia, speeding and failure to provide proof of insurance dating back to 2015.

A remote hearing for this case is scheduled for August 26, 2025, with Judge Jeremy Clinefelter presiding in the Fillmore County District Court.