Alleged Repeat Drunk Driver Assaulted After Collision

An Oakdale man with a history of drunk driving convictions got punched by a driver he allegedly rear-ended, according to a witness account.

Terry Arlan Morris, 55, is charged with first-degree DWI in connection with the incident, which occurred March 4 on 10^th Street near the Interstate 694 intersection, according to the Washington County District Court Complaint.

Police were called to the scene of the crash at around 9 p.m., the complaint says. Morris’ car had sustained severe front-end damage, the complaint says.

A witness told police he saw the driver of the car Morris rear-ended get out, punch him in the face, and then get back in his car and drive off, the complaint says.

When police found Morris behind the wheel, he was “hammered,” and he had an open can of beer on the car’s center console, according to the complaint.

He had a small cut on his face, and was bleeding, the complaint says.

His eyes were bloodshot, his speech was slurred and he smelled like alcohol, the complaint says. He told police he had drunk three beers, according to the complaint.

He performed poorly on a field sobriety test, and a preliminary breath test showed he had a blood alcohol concentration of .214, the complaint says. A later test showed the level at .19, according to the complaint. The legal limit in Minnesota is .08.

According to driving records, Morris’ driver's license was revoked in 2007, 2008 and 2009 due to driving while under the influence, the complaint says.

Morris is charged with two counts of first-degree DWI, which each have a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and $14,000 in fines. He is also charged with an open bottle law violation, which carries a maximum sentence of 90 days in prison and $1,000 in fines.