MN Democrat Drove Drunk, Tested At Twice Legal Limit: Charges

CHISAGO COUNTY, MN — A Democrat in the Minnesota House was charged Tuesday with two counts of DWI.

Rep. Brion Curran, 38, of Vadnais Heights was arrested early Monday and was found to have a blood alcohol content level of .16, authorities said. That is twice the legal limit in Minnesota.

If convicted, Curran faces up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine. She remains in custody with a bail set at $12,000. A court date has not yet been set.

On Oct. 9 around 2 a.m., a deputy from the Chisago County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to Interstate 35 in Harris following multiple 911 calls of a vehicle speeding and driving "all over the road," according to the criminal complaint.

The deputy came upon a red Mazda CX-5 SUV that was driving slowly on the shoulder, had a flat tire driver and front-end damage, authorities said.

The deputy pulled the vehicle over and asked the driver — identified as Curran — what was going on. Curran said she was not sure and she was having trouble getting home, according to the criminal complaint.

She had bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech, and admitted to having had three drinks, authorities said.

Curran showed signs of impairment during a sobriety test but declined other tests — including a preliminary breath test — the criminal complaint states. She was arrested and transported to the Chisacgo County Jail, where she tested with a .16 BAC at 3:26 a.m., investigators said.

Curran is the second Democrat and third Minnesota state lawmaker overall to be arrested on suspicion of drunk driving this year.

Democrat Dan Wolgamott of St. Cloud pleaded guilty in late August to fourth-degree DWI. Republican Matt Grossell of Clearbrook pleaded guilty to DWI after a test found his blood alcohol level at .15.

The legal limit in Minnesota is .08.