Hennepin County sheriff Dave Hutchinson admits driving drunk was "stupid", but he's now working on his mental health to get away from alcohol as he stays on the job and looks for another term.
"I don't to see anybody go through what I had to go through," Hutchinson told Blois Olson on WCCO's Sunday Take. "Not only physical pain--broken ribs and other things are very painful--but also the emotional toll it's taken."
It was early on the morning of Dec. 8 when Hutchinson rolled a county-owned vehicle on Interstate 94 near Hutchinson, a state trooper telling his family that the sheriff was lucky to have survived the wreck.
Hutchinson quickly put out a statement that he had been drinking, a test of his blood alcohol level came in at .13.
He was sentenced to two years probation, and before Christmas began treatment.
"I have increased my drinking, and I don't know if that's trying to get my mind off the job sometimes," he said. "I have noticed it, looking back. I don't necessarily drink frequently, but when I do, I overdid it."
Under his probation, Hutchinson cannot drink alcohol, and he's taking that a step further.
"I don't need alcohol," he said. "Through the few treatments I've had, I've learned to deal with stressers and other things in a healthy way."
That includes going to the gym, taking a walk, reading a book.
"Alcohol's not good for me, and I have been suffering for a good year-and-a-half, two years," Hutchinson said. "And now is the time to stop that. Get myself mentally, physcially, and emotionally stable so I can lead the county for the next year and hopefully beyond."
Hutchinson revealed earlier in the interview that he has no intention of resigning.
"I need to get back in the saddle and hopefully lead the Hennepin County sheriff's office to hopefully a better year."
And beyond.
"Nobody's perfect, myself included, as we all know," he said. "But I think my staff and I have done a good job. I think I've got more in me. I think four more years in steering some more policies and procedures and hiring a very diverse workforce is going to make public safety in Hennepin County better."