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Politics and Government News
Matt Sepic

State Rep. Brion Curran charged with DWI

A woman in a black jacket smiles for a photo
Chisago County jail records show that Rep. Brion Curran of Vadnais Heights, Minn., was booked for third-degree DWI.
Courtesy photo

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Updated: Oct. 10, 2 p.m.

Charges filed against a first-term state lawmaker allege her blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit when she was arrested along Interstate 35 early Monday.

Authorities in Chisago County on Tuesday filed two DWI counts against DFL Rep. Brion Curran of Vadnais Heights, Minn.

The criminal complaint alleges a sheriff’s deputy responding to reports of an erratic driver found Curran driving a damaged SUV on the northbound shoulder near Harris just after 2 a.m. Monday.

After stopping, Curran allegedly told the deputy she was having trouble getting home and thought she was in St. Paul. She also reportedly said she had consumed three drinks.

The complaint alleges that Curran initially declined to take a preliminary breath test. A test taken about two hours later, after she was arrested and transported to the Chisago County Jail, found a blood alcohol level of 0.16.

A court hearing was held Tuesday morning. Curran’s next court appearance is set for December.

Curran represents District 36B that includes Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake, Minn., among other communities. Messages left with House DFL officials and Curran’s office, seeking comment, were not immediately returned.

The 38-year-old was first elected in November. According to her campaign website, Curran has degrees in law enforcement and served as a Chisago County deputy, but left the profession after suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.

Curran is the third state representative arrested this year on suspicion of drunk driving.

DFLer Dan Wolgamott of St. Cloud, Minn., pleaded guilty over the summer to driving with a .09 blood alcohol level in Kanabec County.

And Republican Matt Grossell of Clearbrook, Minn. — a former police chief — pleaded guilty to DWI after a state trooper stopped him in February for speeding; a test found his blood alcohol level at .15.

The legal limit in Minnesota is .08.