Minnesota Drunk Driving Articles

A study conducted by the University of Minnesota determined that one in every 12 fans leaves a major sporting event while intoxicated. Researchers measuring the blood alcohol content of 382 adults who had attended baseball and football games found that 8 percent of the fans registered a blood alcohol content in excess of the legal threshold for intoxication, 0.08%. Those participating in tailgating activities before a game were 14 times more likely to be drunk when leaving the sports venue.

In 2006, the team of researchers would approach fans at professional sporting events and ask them to submit to an anonymous breath test and answer a five minute survey. Many resisted, perhaps not wanting to know the result or an interest in leaving the stadium and getting home. An average of 20 fans per event did participate in the study. 58% of them were male, and 55% were between the ages of 21 and 35.

The significant concern is that the intoxicated fans likely would be driving home, leading to drunk driving accidents and injuries. Some have used the study to ask stadiums, universities and other sporting venues to conduct better sobriety checks, discourage tailgating and limit drinks served to fans during events.

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A new Minnesota DWI law went into effect on January 1 that gives motorists an option to continue driving after an arrest for drunk driving. An ignition interlock device can be installed that measures the blood alcohol content of the driver. If the breath sample is below the pre-set maximum of .02%, the vehicle can be started. The system also requires intermittent samples to continue driving.

Motorists must pay about $300 for the installation of the interlock system and a maintenance and operations fee of more than $100 per month. It is estimated that less than 20 percent of those arrested for DWI in Minnesota will be able to afford the option.

First offenders of driving while intoxicated in Minnesota typically have their licenses suspended for 6 months. Those who agree to install an interlock can begin driving after waiting one month. The cost of having a license reinstated is an additional $700.

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Midway through a statewide campaign to crackdown on drunk and impaired drivers in Minnesota, the DWI arrest totals have reached 675. Approximately 400 law enforcement agencies are participated in the initiative that will continue through New Year's.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety is coordinating the campaign. Federal grants totaling $350,000 are being used to pay for 7,000 hours of overtime and additional law enforcement.

The 2007-2009 three year total of arrests for driving while intoxicated in Minnesota during the month of December is 8,503.

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The Wright County Sheriff's department has reported the arrest of state representative Mark Buesgens for driving while intoxicated in Minnesota. Buesgens was stopped after a deputy saw him driving in a ditch. He showed signs of intoxication and was asked to perform a field sobriety test. His blood alcohol content was reportedly 0.16%, twice the legal limit. Buesgens was charged with fourth-degree MN DWI and an open bottle violation.

In a statement, the Republican representative from Jordan said he had been charged with a misdemeanor, and he expressed disappointment and regret for his actions. He went on to say that he was scheduling a chemical health evaluation.

Buesgens, 49, has served as legislator for 12 years and is in a re-election race this year. He was instrumental in Tom Emmer's campaign for governor and was point person in the response to news of Emmer's multiple arrests for drunk driving in Minnesota. Buesgens' Democratic opponent has promised not to make the Minnesota DWI arrest part of an attack campaign, stating that a serious mistake in judgment had been made but was thankful that no one was injured.

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The state Department of Public Safety reports that an 18-day campaign resulted in 1,775 arrests for driving while intoxicated in Minnesota. Between August 20 and September 6 a total of 332 law enforcement agencies across the state conducted the heightened DWI enforcement effort.

2,800 motorists were also ticketed for seat belt violations. The two statistics are relevant, because 75% of alcohol related fatalities involve drivers not wearing a seat belt.

Reportedly, one in seven Minnesota drivers has a DWI arrest on their record.

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The mayor of southern Minnesota town of Mankato was arrested for DWI in Minneapolis after driving erratically in Interstate 94. John Brady was stopped by Golden Valley police Saturday afternoon, and an open bottle of alcohol was found in the vehicle.

Brady was reportedly in the Twin Cities to catch a flight to China as part of a trade mission. His Minnesota DWI defense lawyer says that Brady apologizes for the inconvenience and wants quick resolution of the case. Brady, 61, has been an elected public official for 14 years, including mayor for the past 4 years. He said, "I'm not worried about anything. I'm just going to get through it."

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Sheriff's deputies in Winona County report an unusual incident that lead to multiple charges of driving while intoxicated in Minnesota. A young girl was at the wheel of a car on County Road 12 near Witoka when she mistook the gas for the brake and lost control of the vehicle in a curve. She hit a highway sign and continued to drive through a yard and into a garden. At that point, the 19-year old passenger in the vehicle, Benjamin R. Repinski, got behind the wheel and tried to extricate the vehicle, only to hit a shed.

The responding deputies learned the unidentified girl did not have a driver's license because she was only 12 years old. Benjamin Repinski said that he had been at a party with the young girl and she had been driving him home. A preliminary breath test showed the girl had a blood alcohol content of .09%. Charges of DWI in Minnesota are being considered. Repinski was charged with drunk driving in MN, as well as underage drinking and driving, underage drinking and for allowing an unlicensed person to drive.

The girl was taken to a local hospital, complaining of side and back pain. She refused to provide a blood sample to test her BAC.

Meanwhile, a deputy dispatched to interview the girl at the hospital noticed a moped driver wearing sunglasses at night and driving wobbly down the road. When stopped, the driver said he was on his way to pick up a friend, Repinski, who had called for a ride after the accident. Daniel G. Arndt was also arrested for Minnesota DWI.

A sheriff's deputy said, "A 12-year old driver, we don't get them everyday".

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An Anoka County Sheriff's Department deputy is facing multiple charges following an arrest for DWI in Minnesota where he reached for an officer's gun and was tasered three times. Lawrence John Doheny was stopped in the southern part of the state for a traffic violation. A Jordan police officer detected alcohol on Doheny's breath and suspected intoxication. Doheny admitted to having consumed a few beers, and when asked to exit his vehicle he stumbled. He refused to perform field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving while intoxicated in Minnesota.

Doheny was taken to the Jordan Police Department and asked to have his urine or blood tested for blood-alcohol content. He offered to submit to a breath test, which is not an option in Scott County. Doheny then said, "you guys nailed me" and agreed to a blood draw at a local medical facility. While being escorted to the hospital, he reached for an officer's gun and threatened the officer by saying they shouldn't test him. As the officer secured his gun and called for back-up, Doheny pushed the officer in the chest and started to flee. When Doheny refused the officer's command to get on the ground, he was hit with a taser gun. He continued to try to escape and was tasered two more times.

Doheny was restrained and taken to the hospital where a blood sample was taken. The results will not be known until processed at a state lab. Doheny was reportedly belligerent to the hospital staff. He faces charges of DWI test refusal, drunk driving in Minnesota and obstructing an officer with force. If convicted of all charges, Doheny, 49, could be fined $7,000 and sentenced to jail for 27 months.

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Sarah S. Bjerke was stopped for a traffic violation in St. Paul around 10:30 in the morning on July 22. The officer detected a strong odor of alcohol and observed that Bjerke's eyes were red and watery. A portable breath testing unit revealed a blood alcohol content of .133%.

Bjerke indicated that she was headed to her job at Crosswinds Middle School in Woodbury. She was arrested for driving while intoxicated in Minnesota and booked at the Ramsey County Jail.

Bjerke, 38, has prior convictions for MN DWI from January 2010 and October 2009.

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The Regional Forensic Laboratory serving Anoka, Sherburne and Wright counties has admitted to errors in calculating blood alcohol content in suspected Minnesota drunk drivers. Urine tests since the beginning of the year showed BAC levels about one-third higher than they actually were. As a consequence, many drivers charged with driving while intoxicated in Minnesota were not legally impaired.

The DWI cases of hundreds of motorists could be impacted. Many have already been to court and accepted an agreement to plead guilty, and others have been incarcerated on the false test results.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reviewed the lab processes and determined the incorrect BAC readings were due to a calculation error on the part of the lab technicians. A county prosecuting attorney said that, "People make mistakes", and felt the lab had addressed the incident with professionalism.

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