Charges: Intoxicated Inver Grove Heights Woman Crashed Car With Toddler Inside
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 23-year-old Inver Grove Heights woman is accused of driving drunk with a toddler and crashing into another car Sunday afternoon, according to the Dakota County Attorney's Office.
According to the criminal complaint, police officers responded to a reported hit-and-run in the city of South St. Paul at around 3:49 p.m. on Oct. 25.
Upon arrival, officers located the victim vehicle, which was legally parked on 5th Avenue South. When asked where the suspect vehicle was, the victim pointed south where officers could see a "smashed up" minivan with heavy front-end damage parked approximately four houses away.
Two women and a 3-year-old girl were located on the sidewalk next to the suspect vehicle. An officer asked if they were OK and they all stated they were.
The complaint says one of the woman, identified as Samantha Jean Dillon, admitted to driving the car. She said "I feel stupid, I was arguing with her," and pointed at the other woman. Meanwhile, the officer noticed Dillon's body swaying and the smell of alcohol was observed on her breath, the complaint said.
After failing a field sobriety test, Dillon submitted a preliminary breath test that determined her breath alcohol concentration of more than .08.
Dillon was then arrested and taken to the South St. Paul Police Department where her breath alcohol concentration was determined to be .30, which is more than three times the legal limit.
Dillon faces charges of second-degree driving while impaired and child endangerment. Both gross misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of one year in prison or a $3,000 fine.
