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Hennepin Company Sheriff Dave Hutchinson Apologizes to DWI – WCCO


MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson pleaded guilty on Thursday to fourth-degree DWI in connection with a rollover accident in central Minnesota in the early morning hours of December 8.

Hutchinson, 41, faces four misdemeanor counts: DWI degree 4, driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, driving a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.8 for two hours and carrying follow a pistol when alcohol content is present.

READ MORE: Hennepin Company Sheriff Dave Hutchinson will be assigned on DWI charges next month

Hutchinson pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle of influence, but after pleading guilty, the remaining charges will be dismissed because under Minnesota law he can only be found guilty of one DWI count related to an incident .

Sheriff Dave Hutchinson (credit: CBS)

“As Chief of Police, I prioritize the well-being of my employees; however, I didn’t practice what I preached,” Hutchinson said after he pleaded. “This incident is a wake-up call for me. I fully understand the seriousness of my actions and take full responsibility.”

He added that he is signing up for an outpatient program to address his overall health and his relationship with alcohol. “This is the first step on the road to recovery and regaining the trust of the people I work with and the residents of Hennepin County I serve,” he said.

Also on Thursday, new photos were released purporting to show the condition of the team vehicle that was wrecked in the crash.

According to Hutchinson’s attorney, a state trooper told the sheriff he was “lucky to be alive” after the collision. Hutchinson was the only person in a Ford Explorer owned by Hennepin County. Investigators later found that Hutchinson’s blood alcohol level was 0.1, as determined by a urine sample.

READ MORE: Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson charged with DWI in rollover accident

On Thursday morning, Twitter user Rebecca Brannon shared photos she took of the team car damaged in the incident. According to investigators, the license plate matching the description of the Ford Explorer 2021 was involved in the crash.

“The lineup is an obnoxious sight and shows the seriousness of drinking and driving. His recklessness could have killed himself or other innocent drivers,” Brannon tweeted.

After the crash, Hutchinson released a statement in which he admitted to drinking and driving.

“I have made the inexplicable decision to drive after drinking and I am deeply sorry,” he wrote. “As the Director of Law Enforcement in Hennepin County, I am held to a higher standard. I regret my choice and apologize to the citizens I served, the employees I worked with, and the friends and family who supported me.”

WCCO previously contacted the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office to see what consequences Hutchinson might face internally. No one returned the call.

The standard misdemeanor sentence applies to 90 days in prison, up to two years of probation, and a $500 fine, and a chemical use assessment.

MORE NEWS: Hennepin Company Sheriff Dave Hutchinson could be facing drinking and driving?

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