Caregiver in November high speed crash had history of drinking and smoking marijuana with residents

Michael Edward Rahja Jr.

(St. Louis County Jail)

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Human Services has released its investigation into a caregiver who crashed a vehicle with vulnerable adults in it while he was allegedly drunk and high.

It sheds more light on the high-speed crash that sent multiple people to the hospital.  It also has revelations of drug and alcohol abuse in the facility.

The report only calls the caregiver a “Staff Person,” but from court records, we know it is referring to Michael Edward Rahja.

There were two allegations investigated.  One was investigating the crash, the other was Rahja, who provided alcohol to three vulnerable adults plus smoked marijuana with one vulnerable adult as well.

The crash happened on November 6, 2025.  The criminal report says Rahja was driving at speeds of 100 miles per hour.

Rahja is quoted in the Minnesota Department of Human Services report, allegedly saying he had the vulnerable adults purchase him alcohol prior to the crash.  He was only 19 at the time of the crash – below the legal drinking age.  Rahja allegedly said he was drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana before he drove and while he was driving.  One of the vulnerable adults said on the day of the crash, Rahja brought a water bottle filled with alcohol to the facility and drank it with the residents.  The Minnesota Department of Human Services said “it was not the first time [Rahja] had done so.”

The report also said Rahja left the scene of the crash, leaving the vulnerable adults near the burning vehicle.  The report says a law enforcement officer found the Rahja, “walking away from the scene of the crash, leaving [his/her] burning vehicle on fire in the middle of the road.”

The investigation also uncovered that Rahja told a supervisor at the facility that he was charged with a DUI.  The supervisor then banned Rahja from driving any residents.  The Minnesota Department of Human Services investigation says this conversation happened on August 22, 2025 – about two months prior to the high-speed crash.  The Minnesota Department of Human Services says Rahja then told co-workers approximately two weeks prior to the incident that the “charges” against him were dropped and he was able to drive again.  That was not accurate, and his license was still suspended.

The report said both of the vulnerable adults involved in the crash sought medical care multiple times following the crash.  One of them left the facility four days after the crash.

The report also says that the care plan of two of the people Rahja was drinking with was to be “discouraged” from substance use and to encourage another to “maintain his/her sobriety.”  A third person that Rahja was drinking with was “likely” to use substances “if the opportunity presented itself,” and “lacked insight,” into their own personal safety.  The facility’s Drug and Alcohol Policy said staff members were not to use or distribute alcohol or drugs when at the facility.

The report also said residents claimed Rahja would smoke marijuana with vulnerable adults at various times.

The facility’s Drug and Alcohol Policy said that the facility “prohibits the use, sale, manufacture, distribution, dispensation, or possession of alcohol, illegal drugs, controlled substances or chemicals while you are on company business, providing serve to individuals, using company vehicles or on company property.” Staff persons were “prohibited” from consuming alcohol when responsible for persons who received services, on facility grounds or in a facility vehicle.

The report ended by saying the facility’s policies and procedures were adequate but not followed. Employees were retrained on the facility’s policies and procedures.  Rahja no longer works at the facility.

Rahja is now disqualified from a position allowing direct contact with, or access to, persons receiving services from programs, organizations, and/or agencies that are required to have individuals complete a background study by the Department of Human Services.

Minnesota Department of Human Services investigators conducted eleven interviews in the investigation and also reviewed documentation at the facility, law enforcement records, and medical records.

Rahja is scheduled to be back in court for his criminal case on February 23, 2026, for an omnibus hearing.

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