Hennepin County sheriff Dave Hutchinson is on “indefinite” leave for “health-related” reasons, the department announced Thursday. Chief Deputy Tracey Martin is leading the department in Hutchinson's absence.
This comes nearly six months after Hutchinson crashed his county-owned vehicle while driving drunk on Interstate 94 near Alexandria. At first he told state troopers he was not the driver. He later pleaded guilty to fourth-degree misdemeanor drunk driving and still faces a weapons charge. Hutchinson was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay a $610 fine. He also agreed to pay the county $47,711.69 for the squad vehicle that was wrecked in the crash.
Authorities said Hutchinson was driving at speeds up to 126 mph and later registered a blood-alcohol content of .13 – nearly twice the legal limit.
The fallout led to Hutchinson to decide not to run for a second term, but he said he intended to finish out his current term.
It is not known how long he'll be on leave, but he will still get paid in accordance with state law.
“Under the leadership of Chief Deputy Tracey Martin and the command staff, the men and women of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office remain committed to serving the residents of Hennepin County with professionalism, compassion and integrity,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.