Minnesota state Rep. Elliott Engen was drunk and speeding when he was arrested last Friday morning in White Bear Lake according to charging documents, which show he was traveling with Rep. Walter Hudson, who was carrying a handgun during the traffic stop.
Engen, R-Lino Lakes, was stopped just before 2 a.m. near downtown White Bear Lake after a police officer spotted his vehicle traveling 44 MPH in a 30 MPH zone with a broken headlight and expired registration. At the beginning of the stop, the officer smelled odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle, with Engen telling the officer he was "sober cabbing" two passengers in the vehicle and that he had not consumed any alcohol that evening.
The officer noticed a bottle of alcohol in a child's car seat in the back seat, which Hudson claimed belonged to him.
Engen failed parts of a roadside sobriety test and was arrested after an initial breathalyzer test showed a BAC of.142. Another test showed his BAC was .13. Engen later admitted he had consumed two, 12 ounce Coors Lights between 11 and 11:30 p.m. but said he didn't think it had affected his ability to drive.
Engen and Hudson had been spotted drinking earlier in the day at a St. Paul bar before returning to the State Capitol to vote on bills related to gun regulations.
During the traffic stop, Hudson told officers he had a concealed firearm and valid concealed carry permit. An officer secured the 9mm Smith and Wesson form Hudson's waistband. Engen told police that both passengers had been drinking, but it's unclear whether police tested Hudson's level on intoxication. State law prohibits permit holders from carrying with a BAC above .04, but charges were not pursued against Hudson.
While there was mention of another passenger, their identity was not released.
Hours after being released, Engen posted on X, "To my family, colleagues and constituents. I am deeply sorry. I strive to be a man of good character, and my actions fell short last night. I will learn from this. I will do better."
