Double Danger For Law Enforcement

Last week the Star Tribune reported that a repeat drunk driver ran a red light in Duluth hitting a squad car driven by a Duluth police investigator Don Boso. The accident resulted in Boso being hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

The red light runner is 25 year-old Duane Porter, who has a prior record that includes drunk driving, open bottle, careless driving and underage drinking and driving. He was charged with criminal vehicular operation, third-degree drunken driving, driving after license suspension, not heeding a red light, not wearing a seat belt and driving over the center line.

This case illustrates two recurring -- and tragic – realities of the road. First, the harm caused not just by drunk drivers, but repeat drunk drivers who continuously flout the law and eventually end up killing or injuring others (see our earlier blog posts dealing with this topic). Despite the tightening of DUI laws, our system still is unable to adequately address this problem.
Second, the dangers posed on our roadways to police and state troopers. Contrary to what you might imagine, it’s cars and not bullets that are the leading cause of death of law enforcement officers. This winter in particular has seen a surge of accidents involving police and state troopers. In fact, eight Minnesota troopers were struck in just three days last month.
Law enforcement officers already face a great risk on Minnesota’s icy roads. That risk is compounded by those who drink and drive. And that’s a risk no one should have to assume.

Cory P. Whalen
Attorney At Law
Sieben, Grose, Von Holtum & Carey
800 Marquette Avenue, Suite 900
Minneapolis, MN 55402
612-333-9782