Earlier this month, Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson was involved in a rollover crash while driving under the influence of alcohol in central Minnesota. Hutchinson has since pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him for the crash.
Now photos of his vehicle after the crash have been released, showing just how serious the incident was.
The vehicle is missing its front windshield, with one of the four tires no longer attached to the car, and the damage is so severe that a pipe appears to be sitting over the driver's side seat.
The airbags in the car have also been deployed, with the entire rear and front ends of the vehicle being crushed from the accident.
Hutchinson was charged with a DWI in connection to the crash and is set to appear in court next year.
He faces four misdemeanor counts, including fourth-degree DWI, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .08 within two hours, and carrying a pistol under the influence of alcohol.
Under Minnesota law Hutchinson can only be charged with one of these charges, meaning his guilty plea for the fourth-degree DWI is the only charge he is guilty of. The state also agreed to a continuance for dismissal of carrying a pistol under the influence, according to a news release.
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“This morning, I pled guilty to a misdemeanor DUI charge stemming from my recent accident near Alexandria,” Hutchinson said after his plea. “As Sheriff, I made the wellness of my staff a priority; however, I didn’t practice what I preached. This incident is a wake-up call for me. I understand the seriousness of my actions, for which I take full responsibility.”
He added that he is enrolled in an outpatient treatment program for his issues with alcohol and overall health.
“This is the first step in the road toward recovery and regaining the trust of the people I work with and the residents of Hennepin County whom I serve,” Huthcinson said. “I have returned to work and will focus on my duties as Sheriff.”
The sheriff released a statement following the crash admitting to driving his vehicle while under the influence.
"I made the inexcusable decision to drive after drinking alcohol, and I am deeply sorry," he wrote. "As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in Hennepin County, I am held to a higher standard. I regret the choice I made and apologize to the citizens I serve, the staff I work with, and the friends and family who support me."
Several things collected from the car can be seen in the released photos, including an empty package of what appears to be CBD gummies.
Investigators discovered that Hutchinson had been driving with a blood alcohol level of .13, determined through a urine sample.
The sheriff suffered broken ribs and other injuries in the crash and has since been released from the hospital he was at in Alexandria.
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