Affidavit: Sheriff Hutchinson denied being driver at scene of drunken crash; commissioners call for resignation

Josh Skluzacek & Gracie Stockton

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Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson initially claimed he wasn’t behind the wheel when his county-owned vehicle crashed near Alexandria last month.

A search warrant application states Hutchinson told both witnesses and deputies at the scene that he wasn’t the driver of the vehicle after it crashed on the morning of Dec. 8.

The affidavit states Hutchinson told a deputy several times that he wasn’t driving and added that he’d called a cab and the cab driver was driving his county-owned vehicle.

Later in the day, Hutchinson released a statement saying he drove the vehicle after he’d been drinking and apologized for his actions. The affidavit notes an open bottle of bourbon was found in Hutchinson’s vehicle.

After being charged with four misdemeanors related to drunken driving, Hutchinson pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation on Dec. 20.

Left: Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson.[KSTP/File]

Wednesday afternoon, two Hennepin County commissioners took to Twitter to call for Hutchinson’s resignation.

Irene Fernando, of District 2, posted a letter she sent to Hutchinson, calling his actions "egregious" and his comments since the incident "unjustifiable."

"The only way to show respect for the laws he is sworn to uphold is to resign immediately," Fernando wrote.

Jeffrey Joneal Lunde, of District 1, voiced his agreement with Fernando, adding that "increasing trust should be central to all decisions made regarding public safety."

Hutchinson’s office gave a statement to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS just after 9:30 p.m. in response to the calls for his resignation:

"I am fully committed to continuing to serve the people of Hennepin County who elected me. I will let the citizens, not politicians, decide my future in November."