John Daniel Porter, 80, died at home Sept. 13, nearly six weeks after he was critically injured in a crash in Midway Township. The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office collected medical records from two providers as it investigated whether additional charges should be filed against the other driver, 26-year-old Charlene Mae Davey. A hospital blood sample was later measured at 0.30 blood-alcohol concentration, authorities allege—nearly four times Minnesota's legal limit of 0.08, according to the Duluth News Tribune.
The crash happened shortly after 5 p.m. Aug. 3 on Midway Road near Old Highway 61, according to the Duluth News Tribune. Porter's Town & Country minivan struck a tree; Davey's Jeep Grand Cherokee came to rest in a nearby ditch. Porter and his fiancée, Annette Shovein, were taken to Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center with broken ribs and other injuries.
Investigators' Account of the Crash
Witnesses told investigators that Davey's Jeep was speeding behind Porter's van and had been seen swerving before the collision, the outlet reported. One witness said Porter appeared to be pulling over to let the Jeep pass and that she had been dialing 911 before the crash.
A St. Louis County Sheriff's deputy reported finding mini Fireball bottles in the Jeep and near the driver's seat, as well as bottles in a nearby creek, according to the outlet. The deputy also noted Davey smelled strongly of alcohol, had watery eyes and slurred speech. Davey said she had consumed alcohol and did not remember the crash, the report said.
Prior Conviction and a Revoked License
Davey, a former Superior resident who now lives in Mahtowa, was driving without a valid license, according to Duluth News Tribune. Her license had been revoked after a 2021 impaired-driving conviction in Douglas County. She was arrested at the scene and faces two counts of criminal vehicular operation and two counts of impaired driving. Davey posted a $40,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court Oct. 23.
Under Minnesota law, a person convicted of criminal vehicular operation resulting in great bodily harm may face up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, according to the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes. A conviction for criminal vehicular homicide may carry up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000, under a separate statute, according to the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes. Authorities are investigating whether additional charges should be filed against Davey.
Weeks in the Hospital, Then a Sudden Decline
Porter spent an extended period in the hospital before being discharged. Less than 24 hours later, Shovein called an ambulance; Porter was treated at Aspirus St. Luke's and then released into the care of Moments Hospice. Shovein told the Duluth News Tribune that Porter had blood clots in his lung and heart damage from the crash. The Sheriff's Office collected medical records from both providers during its investigation.
Porter died at home Sept. 13, according to an obituary posted on Legacy.com. Born in Duluth on July 5, 1946, he worked in car towing and salvage and drove for Loomis. The obituary also recalls his interest in cars, checkers, old westerns and wildlife. His visitation and funeral service were held Sept. 23 at Dougherty Funeral Home in Duluth.
Minnesota's Road-Safety Picture
Alcohol-Related Crashes in Minnesota
From 2020 to 2024, Minnesota recorded 668 alcohol-related driving deaths, and alcohol-related crashes caused approximately 1,926 serious injuries, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Preliminary state data also showed alcohol played a role in 102 crashes in 2024, the department reported in its 2024 figures. These figures provide a recent snapshot but do not establish a decade-long trend.
Minnesota recorded its fewest traffic fatalities since 2019 in 2025 and ranked as the fourth safest state nationally for traffic deaths when adjusted for vehicle miles traveled, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Porter's death followed an investigation into a crash and a weeks-long medical course, as authorities review whether the case warrants additional charges.
