MN Man Drove Lawn Mower Drunk

“Minnesota man drove lawn mower drunk, kicked deputy, Sheriff says”

A southeastern Minnesota man is accused of driving a riding lawn mower while intoxicated and kicking a sheriff’s deputy.

Olmsted County sheriff’s officials say the 26-year-old man was arrested about 9:15 p.m. Saturday in Eyota after law enforcement got a call about someone on a lawnmower who seemed to be impaired. Sheriff’s Capt. Scott Behrns says a sobriety test showed the man was well over the limit to drive, KTTC-TV reported.

The man is also accused of kicking a sheriff’s deputy in the arm and stealing lumber from Dollar General.

Eyota is located about 14 miles east of Rochester, Minn.

http://www.twincities.com/2016/06/06/minnesota-lawnmower-dwi-drunken-driving-kicked-deputy

My question… when did Dollar General start selling lumber??

Sharon wrote:

My question… when did Dollar General start selling lumber??

Maybe they’re building the Dollar General and he stole some of the lumber.

LOL, well that’s a possibility!

Eyota is a weird burg at best. I avoid the place.

driving a riding lawn mower while intoxicated

I thought that was a requirement??

I remember my first beer……

munchy wrote:

driving a riding lawn mower while intoxicated

I thought that was a requirement??

Probably….just not when you’re stealing lumber from a construction site, eh.

Tom Sawvell wrote:

Eyota is a weird burg at best. I avoid the place.

My daughter and son-in-law just bought a used Chevy Venture van down there a little while ago. They said most everyone in town was going to lawnmowers and donkey’s for transportation needs.

I wonder if it was done on something like this?

That made me extremely queasy.

I need one of those with a snow blower on the front. Queasy? Fun.

BK, might be the Spam or the Hamm’s fault.

pantherpop wrote:

BK, might be the Spam or the Hamm’s fault.

Hey, you watch your mouth. I got your back Brian.
DT

Thanks DT!

munchy wrote:

driving a riding lawn mower while intoxicated

I thought that was a requirement??

I mean….they do come with drink holders coffee:

I think we could start a whole new post on how to prevent the vibrations of the lawnmower from foaming up your beer. Lol
DT

Iowaboy1 wrote:

I wonder if it was done on something like this?

Holy hannah! Not sure the grass would cut very evenly going that fast…

Ok serious question here. Is if actually illegal to be intoxicated while driving a mower and/or any othe motor vehicle if you are on private property?

Grouse

Sharon wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>iowaboy1 wrote:</div>
I wonder if it was done on something like this?

Holy hannah! Not sure the grass would cut very evenly going that fast…

Well now Sharon…you know now as your OP confirms. For some, a lawnmower has nothing to do with cutting grass. “burp..doah”

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Yes, I believe so. I don’t think the law distinguishes between public or private property in regards to DWIs/DUIs, and a mower likely falls into the law’s general definition of a vehicle.

Sharon wrote:

Yes, I believe so. I don’t think the law distinguishes between public or private property in regards to DWIs/DUIs, and a mower likely falls into the law’s general definition of a vehicle.

It’s an interesting question, I ask because I’ve driven by several guys out in the burbs who were taking a pull from a beer while out doing the rounds on the mower. Obviously, drinking while on a mower is questionable at best, but it got me wondering is there such a thing as DMWI, even if it occurs on private property?

Grouse

I thought that only happens in Wisconsin?

169A.20 DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED.

Subdivision 1.Driving while impaired crime; motor vehicle. 

It is a crime for any person to drive, operate, or be in physical control of any motor vehicle, as defined in section 169A.03, subdivision 15, except for motorboats in operation and off-road recreational vehicles, within this state or on any boundary water of this state.

The biggest key words there are “Within this state”. Other traffic related statutes will specifically say on a roadway.
DT

Here is the definition of a motor vehicle.

Subd. 15.Motor vehicle. 

“Motor vehicle” means every vehicle that is self-propelled and every vehicle that is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires. The term includes motorboats in operation and off-road recreational vehicles, but does not include a vehicle moved solely by human power.

Disclaimer: I’m not an attorney and in no way giving legal advise. I simply copied my reply off of the MN Revisor website.
DT

So technically you could get a DWI while riding the bumper cars at the county fair.

BAHAHAHA !!!
Good one BK !!

So its okay to drink and drive a lawn mower. Against the law to be drunk on one. Sounds about the same as a boat or vehicle on the water.

Give the guy a break