Hennepin County Sheriff injured in I-94 rollover. Admits to drinking before driving.
Hennepin County Sheriff David “Hutch” Hutchinson was injured after crashing a county vehicle early Wednesday, with the sheriff himself admitting he was drinking prior to the wreck. As of 5:37pm Wednesday, December 9th, he still at the hospital in stable condition.
The crash happened around 2:30 a.m. on I-94 about 5 miles east of Alexandria, the Minnesota State Patrol said Wednesday. Deputies responded to the single-vehicle rollover and found the driver, Hutchinson, suffering from serious but non-life threatening injuries. He was taken via ambulance to Alomere Hospital.
The State Patrol said deputies got a warrant to obtain a urine sample after they “suspected impairment”.
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office released this statement at 1:04pm today. Here is the quote from their sheriff, who was under the influence of alcohol when he crashed his vehicle and hospitalized with serious injuries:
“Early this morning, I was involved in single car crash in Douglas County near Alexandria, MN. I was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota State Patrol are investigating this crash as a DUI.
I made the inexcusable decision to drive after drinking alcohol and I am deeply sorry. As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in Hennepin County, I am held to a higher standard. I regret the choice I made and apologize to the citizens I serve, the staff I work with, and the friends and family who support me.
I take full responsibility for my actions and am prepared to accept the consequences of my poor decision. I am relieved that no one else was injured in the crash. I will immediately address my personal issues surrounding alcohol and seek the help I need to continue to serve the people of Hennepin County.”
– Sheriff Dave Hutchinson
