Sheriff: Drunk Driver Accused of Fleeing Police with Kids, Loaded Gun

(KNSI) – A Paynesville man faces charges after allegedly driving drunk with kids in the car and a loaded gun.

The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office says they received a call around 8 p.m. on Sunday about a possible drunk driver heading towards Dassel on Minnesota Highway 15.

The sheriff’s office says within ten minutes, the vehicle was found by a deputy. A traffic stop was attempted, but the car fled, and a police chase started. Deputies pursued the car from Dassel for about two miles on Highway 15 before the car pulled over and stopped.

The driver was identified as a 31-year-old man from Paynesville. Deputies say he had his two children in the car with him. A preliminary breathalyzer test allegedly showed he had a blood-alcohol level of .19, over twice the legal limit to drive. The legal limit is .08. The man was also found to have a loaded handgun.

The 31-year-old was arrested and booked into the Meeker County Jail on pending charges of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, driving under the influence, open bottle, carrying a pistol while under the influence, and child endangerment charges.

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