A police officer in Chatfield, Minnesota, was arrested and charged with DWI after witnesses say they saw the man driving about 70 miles per hour prior to crashing his vehicle on Lyndale Avenue.
According to Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges, his team arrested 61-year-old Kenneth Gallion shortly after Gallion finished a shift around 11 p.m. at the Minnesota State Fair. About an hour later, Bloomington police received a call about a vehicle that had just crashed along Lyndale Avenue. Gallion was removed from the vehicle while still in uniform and carrying his service weapon. The officer with the Bloomington Police Department noted that he could smell alcohol on Gallion’s breath and that Gallion had a difficult time speaking clearly and walking.
3 Times The Legal Limit
Gallion ended up failing multiple field sobriety tests. An initial breathalyzer test revealed that Gallion had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.273, and a subsequent test revealed a BAC of 0.28. Both of those test results are more than three times the legal driving limit.
Although he has only been charged and not yet convicted, the Chatfield Police Department already terminated Gallion’s role with the department. The Minnesota State Fair also released a statement, cutting ties with the former Chatfield officer.
Gallion has officially been charged with two counts of driving while impaired and carrying a firearm while under the influence of a controlled substance.
“I don’t care who you are, you come to our city and break the law, we’re going to lock you up. I’m glad no member of the public was hurt,” said Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges in a short Facebook Watch stream about the incident. “Hopefully, you get the help you need, but don’t come to my city with 3x the legal limit.”
Hopefully you make smarter choices than Gallion, but if you run into trouble with the law and need help, reach out to the team at Appelman Law Firm. Give Avery and his team a call day or night at (952) 224-2277. We’re here to serve you and ensure you avoid a worst case scenario with your situation. Set up a free case consultation today.
