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Jan 29, 2014

Twin Cities airport worker arrested for DWI after alleged incident with airplane

Failure to yield allegations have led to an Inver Grove Heights man being charges with driving while impaired. Officials say that a truck driver failed to yield for an airplane that was backing away from Terminal 2 at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport. The man accused of DWI was reportedly driving a service truck at the airport Thursday night.

Law enforcement says that an airplane had been pushed back roughly 50 feet from the gate at the Humphrey Terminal when the Inver Grove Heights man drove past the plane. Authorities say that the airplane was forced to stop to avoid a possible collision.

Investigators with the airport police apparently were called in to look into the incident. MSP Airport Police say that officers watch a video of the alleged failure to yield incident. A supervisor apparently found the truck driver at a filling station, known as the fuel farm. The fuel farm is located on airport property near Post Road.

Airport police arrested the man at the fuel farm on suspicion of DWI and a failure to yield charge. The service truck driver measured for a blood-alcohol level of 0.22 percent Thursday night, according to airport authorities. News reports indicate that the truck driver has a previous DWI conviction on his record from 2008.

Generally, DWI convictions within 10 years of a new DWI arrest in Minnesota can be used to enhance current DWI charges to a higher level of offense. Additionally, a prior DWI conviction can increase the administrative consequences involving a person’s privilege to drive in Minnesota. A DWI license revocation is automatic in Minnesota, and the timeline to challenge an implied consent DWI license revocation is short. It is important to consult with an experienced Minneapolis, St. Paul DWI defense lawyer as soon as possible after a DWI arrest to learn what defenses may be available.

Sources:

Minneapolis Star Tribune, “Truck driver accused of DWI on service road at MSP airport,” Associated Press, July 23, 2012
My Fox 9 News, “MSP Airport driver accused of DWI on runway,” July 23, 2012

Max Keller

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

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