La Crescent resident to be tried in La Crosse for stealing car, letting it run driverless

A Minnesota driver pleaded not guilty before a La Crosse judge Tuesday to charges of disorderly conduct and stealing a car.

Cody West is accused of taking another person’s car from a La Crescent Kwik Trip last week, and driving it into La Crosse.

The 18-year-old told police he was under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms and thought he had parked the car on South Avenue before running away. Turns out, the car was not parked, and continued down the road until it slowed to a halt.

After leaving the car, West allegedly caused trouble at two downtown La Crosse businesses before being arrested.

West says he had taken mushrooms and ran from a house in a panic without his shoes after seeing a knife. That was a short time before he allegedly stole the vehicle at a Kwik Trip.

Judge Gloria Doyle will review the case again at a hearing in February.