Hutchinson in Squad Car Video After December DUI Crash: 'I Wasn't Driving'

LatestVideoNews

Jan 20

The Minnesota State Patrol on Thursday released more information and video from Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson’s DUI crash near Alexandria, Minn. in December 2021.

Sheriff **David Hutchinson**’s booking photo, provided by the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office.

Portions of the video show Hutchinson lying injured on the shoulder of Interstate 94 after he rolled his county SUV early Dec. 8. Hutchinson was attending a law enforcement conference in Alexandria and was hospitalized after the crash.

Another clip shows him in the back of an officer’s squad car, repeatedly telling the officer that he was not the person behind the wheel of the heavily damaged vehicle.

“I wasn’t driving,” Hutchinson can be heard telling the officer.

Hutchinson was sentenced to two years of probation after initially being charged with four misdemeanors. He later pleaded guilty to one DUI charge, while two other counts of DWI were dismissed and the third for carrying a pistol while intoxicated was continued for dismissal, meaning it will be dropped at a later date if conditions are met.

State Patrol Col. Matt Langer issued a statement along with the release of the video:

“I commend the work of those who had a role in investigating this matter, including the Minnesota State Patrol,” Langer said in the statement.

“At the crash scene, Mr. Hutchinson claimed he was not the driver. The focus of the multi-faceted and collaborative investigation, which included the executed search warrants, set out to determine who was behind the wheel. That need dissolved with the admission by Mr. Hutchinson that he was driving while impaired.

There is no minimizing or defending the driving conduct and decisions involved in this situation. Mr. Hutchinson's decision to drive impaired, at speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour while not wearing a seat belt are the exact opposite of what we know helps to keep people safe on our roads. We are glad the injuries he sustained were not more severe and that no one else was injured.

We appreciate Mr. Hutchinson taking responsibility for his actions and hope others will learn from this situation by following our steadfast and simple advice to never drive impaired, obey the speed limit, wear your seatbelt, and pay attention,” Langer said in the statement.

An analysis done by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension determined Hutchinson’s blood alcohol content to be .13. The legal limit in Minnesota is .08.

Data released from the crashed SUV showed Hutchinson was driving in excess of 120 mph on the interstate before the crash.

Evidence reports said a revolver, a 9mm pistol and an AR-15 were recovered by investigators.

In a written statement after pleading guilty, Hutchinson said he was enrolled in an outpatient treatment program and that he had returned to work as sheriff.

Both Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan said on Thursday that Hutchinson should resign his position, joining a growing number of political officials who have said the same. Hutchinson has indicated in previous statements that he intends to run for re-election in November and has no plans to resign.