Drunk driver sentenced to probation after fleeing crash scene
Published 6:01 pm Saturday, February 25, 2012
A drunken driver who crashed his car in October, fled the scene and left his passenger with a broken leg was sentenced Friday in Mower County Court.
Michael Lee Rutledge, 30, was convicted of gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular homicide and a DWI. Rutledge was sentenced to two years’ supervised probation and 60 days’ house arrest with an alcohol sensor. He also must pay a $900 fine.
According to court documents, Rutledge was the driver of a Monte Carlo in a collision that broke the leg of his passenger, 34-year-old Amy Ellis of Waltham.
The driver of the other car involved, a Cadillac Seville, told police Rutledge sped up behind him so quickly he thought Rutledge’s vehicle was going to crash into the rear of his Seville.
The collision caused Rutledge’s Monte Carlo to flip and slide more than 100 feet, landing in the westbound lane near Holiday Ford.
Witnesses told police Rutledge had fled on foot. Three days after the crash, Rutledge turned himself in to police, accompanied by a lawyer.
According to court documents, Rutledge had his license revoked in 2010 for driving with an alcohol content of .08 or more.
—Trey Mewes and Amanda Lillie contributed to this report.