Hennepin County Sheriff Injured in Alcohol-Involved Crash
Alexandria, MN (KROC-AM News) - The top law enforcement officer in Minnesota's most populated county is hospitalized in western Minnesota with injuries suffered in an alcohol-involved traffic crash.
Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson issued a statement this afternoon acknowledging he was involved in a single-car crash near Alexandria after he had consumed alcohol. The statement also says the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the State Patrol are investigating the rollover 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.” Sheriff Hutchinson went on to say, "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.”
The statement issued by the Sheriff says he suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
The State Patrol says the crash occurred on I-94 around 2:30 a.m. The crash report also indicates Hutchinson was driving a vehicle owned by Hennepin County.