Most people accused of driving while impaired in Minnesota are accused of driving drunk in a traditional motor vehicle. But, as followers of this blog recognize, Minnesota’s DWI laws are interpreted broadly in many cases. Many Minnesotans may remember a story about a DWI in a motorized reclining chair that made headlines years ago.
Others may have read our story where the courts found that a Segway is not a vehicle for the purposes of the DWI statute. We have also discussed snowmobiling cases, boating while impaired stories, DWIs involving ATVs to name a few.
Police accuse a man of driving drunk on a motorized scooter in Lakeville, Minnesota. Authorities say that someone called police to report that someone ran into a parked car Monday while riding the gas-powered scooter. Details about the machine have not been revealed in a recent story carries by WCCO.
Police apparently responded to the scooter accident report and located a 46-year-old man. Officers claim that the man was swaying when law enforcement made contact with him. It is not clear where that contact was made, or if any scooter was present. Nonetheless, police believed that the man was intoxicated and opened a DWI investigation.
Officials claim that the man admitted to having consumed a couple of drinks-a vodka and Mountain Dew mix. But authorities say that the man denied that he was riding the scooter. The man was arrested on suspicion of DWI-authorities claim that the man blew 0.19 percent blood alcohol content in a DWI alcohol test.
However, the man reportedly has prior DWIs on his record. CBS Minnesota reports that the man has four DWI or license revocations within the past 10 years. A prior DWI conviction, or a prior implied consent loss of license, may be used to enhance a new DWI charge to a higher level of offense. The man reportedly is facing two counts of first-degree DWI-a first-degree offense is a felony.
Source: WCCO CBS Minnesota, “Man Charged With Driving Scooter Into Parked Car While Drunk,” April 11, 2013