The driver of a car in a hit and run accident that critically injured a young man in South Minneapolis has been charged with criminal vehicular operation and second-degree DWI.
In an article published by the Minnesota Star Tribune, it appears that just minutes after police said a man ran over another man, the driver was arrested in connection with the accident.
At the time of the accident, a Minneapolis police officer who was off-duty in his marked police car witnessed the accident and then caught up to the driver a few blocks away from the scene. He went ahead and took the driver into custody until other officers arrived to arrest the man for hitting and nearly killing the pedestrian with his car.
The driver has been in custody since he was arrested and is being held on $75,000 bond.
Authorities say the man was driving away from a pub where he had had four alcoholic beverages. It was during this time that he struck the young pedestrian as he crossed the street, causing the man to become critically injured with head wounds and broken bones.
The collision happened in the very early morning hours at approximately 2:30 a.m. on the day that it occurred.
It is not said whether or not the driver has retained the services of a Minneapolis DWI attorney or if he will be utilizing a public defender in the case. If convicted of Criminal Vehicular Operation, the defendant would be looking at prison time as well as the loss of his license for up to ten years.
If convicted of second-degree DWI, a gross misdemeanor, the driver could face one year in jail and up to $3,000 in fines in addition to any administrative penalties that may be imposed, such as license revocation. If his license is suspended or revoked, he would have to pay the necessary fees, totaling hundreds of dollars, to obtain his license after the revocation period is over. In addition to these penalties, the collateral consequences include a criminal record, raised insurance rates, and issues in matters involving background checks that reveal his offense.