NEW ULM — An 18-year-old Sleepy Eye resident faces two counts of felony criminal vehicular operation-substantial bodily harm and three other charges in Brown County District Court after traveling through the roundabout and hitting a light pole on Highway 14 west of New Ulm May 4.

Kyle J. Geisler, 500 Remmele St. was charged with felony criminal vehicular operation-operating a motor vehicle in a negligent manner while under the influence of a controlled substance and operating a motor vehicle in a negligent manner while under the influence of any amount of a Schedule 1 or II controlled substance, or its metabolite, other than marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinols, according to court documents filed Monday.

In addition, Geisler was charged with two counts of misdemeanor DWI and driver must carry proof of insurance when operating vehicle. He was summoned to appear in court at 8:30 a.m., Sept. 12.

The Minnesota State Patrol, Mankato was dispatched to a single-vehicle crash with injuries on Highway 14 in the roundabout intersection with Palmer Ave. at 10:25 p.m., May 4, according to court documents.

It appeared the vehicle, a 2002 Buick Century, traveled mostly straight into the roundabout, hitting the southwest part of the curb of the inside center median, traveled over the outside curb of the southeast section and hitting a light pole. The vehicle was on top of the light pole, front airbags deployed, the windshield was damaged from the inside and the front end had severe damage with a large “v” in the center from the impact with the light pole.

New Ulm Police advised that a prescription bottle containing an unknown substance was found on the floor of the passenger side of the car and that the driver, Kyle Geisler, claimed ownership of it. The material in the bottle was light green in color with a potpourri odor.

Police said witnesses stated they were westbound on Highway 14 while the Buick was eastbound on Highway 14, traveling at what appeared to be a high rate of speed. Witnesses said they saw the Buick hit the curb, fly up and hit the pole. In addition, they said a passenger, Anthony Geisler, walked away from the car after the crash.

The Geislers were transported to New Ulm Medical Center via ambulance to be checked out. At the hospital, Anthony Geisler said he was a passenger in the car that Kyle Geisler was driving and that it belonged to Kyle Geisler.

Anthony Geisler said he believed the car’s cruise control was set at 55-60 mph, that he asked Kyle Geisler to slow down, but was not sure if he did or not. Anthony said he was not wearing his seat belt and that he braced himself with his arms for crash impact. Anthony said he had a broken right arm which was bandaged and in a sling.

Kyle Geisler confirmed he was driving the car with the cruise control set at 60 mph, he entered the roundabout but was unable to get his cruise control to come off and slow down. Geisler said he hit the brakes but it did not slow (the car) down or take the cruise (control) off. Kyle Geisler said the pill bottle was his.

Kyle Geisler showed signs of impairment but alcohol impairment was not detected. After completing a search warrant application, a urine sample was collected, sealed and mailed to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).

The State Patrol was unable to locate active insurance policies for Kyle Geisler by calling Geico and Progressive insurance companies and searching the car. The BCA lab examination result revealed the presence of methamphetamine and amphetamine in Kyle Geisler’s system.