Boat driver’s alleged repeat DWI offense kills 4

According to a Minnesota report, it was supposed to be a happy pre-wedding party celebration. It certainly seemed to be an uplifting, festive idea: a deck-boat ride for the groom-to-be and some of his wedding guests on a summer night on Wisconsin’s Chippewa River. Unfortunately, last Friday’s celebration was cut short due to a sudden head-on collision with a speedboat that was traveling too fast that night. The deck boat was speeding too, it was later revealed.

Upon investigation, authorities found that both boat drivers had consumed unknown quantities of alcohol some time before the accident. Boating while intoxicated is suspected to have caused the crash. The speedboat driver, who lost his life in the crash, was earlier observed in a bar drinking with his passenger, who was injured in the suspected DWI accident. In all, four deaths resulted from the wreck.

More information was later revealed about the speedboat driver. He reportedly has various prior DWIs on his record, in addition to other dropped or dismissed drunk driving charges. Just like in Minnesota, the legal BAC limit in Wisconsin is 0.08. With repeat offenses, consequences become harsher.

Alcohol obviously can impair a boater’s vision and response time on the water. And during these summer months, drunken boating puts lots of lives and futures of intoxicated boaters at risk. At night, the danger easily increases, and authorities vigilantly look for intoxicated boaters. It is most likely that one or both boat drivers did not see each other at all in this case until it was too late.

It is not yet known if the driver of the deck boat will be cited for drunk driving charges. Authorities continue to investigate the fatal incident.

Source

Star Tribune: “Speedboat driver in crash that killed 4 had 7 convictions,” Pat Pheifer and Daarel Burnette, 25 Jul. 2011

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Years of Experience: Approx. 20 years
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

A Santa Clara University study shows that over one million people in Minnesota have criminal records. In Minneapolis alone, 5,713 crimes are reported annually within an area of 100,000 residents. These criminal cases require the defendants to present evidence challenging the prosecutor's narrative. So, when does the defense present evidence in a criminal case? Your defense team presents evidence at the trial phase right after the prosecution team completes outlining the facts it intends to prove and how its evidence will prove you guilty.
Media attention and public scrutiny after conviction can hurt your personal and professional reputation, especially if your criminal case is high-profile. One of the questions you may ask is: How do I handle media attention and public scrutiny after conviction in Minnesota? You can do that by familiarizing yourself with your rights, having a witness present during a media interview, minimizing media consumption, and taking a break from social media. Building a strong support system and working closely with a criminal defense lawyer can help you handle or minimize the impact of public scrutiny.
The timeline for filing pre-trial motions in a criminal case in Minnesota varies with the type of motion. A motion related to the discovery of evidence or dismissal of a criminal case must be filed at least three days before the Omnibus Hearing. The prosecution is then allowed to respond to the motions, and the court sets the timeline for these responses.