Man charged after hitting cars in crash

Published 10:21 am Thursday, December 22, 2016

An 18-year-old Austin man faces charges of driving while intoxicated, assault and other counts after he allegedly smashed the SUV he was driving into three other vehicles on Wednesday.

According to Austin police, Brandon Garson hit the cars while driving a 2005 Chevy Equinox at the intersection of Seventh Street and Second Avenue Southwest. Damage was reported to a Chevy Impala, Chevy Equinox and a third vehicle whose make was not detailed. There were no injuries reported and no damage estimate was available, but Police Chief Brian Krueger said damage to the Garson vehicle was significant.

Brandon Garson

Brandon Garson

Officers were called at 10:43 p.m. and Garson allegedly attempted to leave the scene but was detained. According to the report, officers detected the smell of alcohol, slurred speech and watery eyes and Garson failed a field sobriety test.

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He was taken to the Mower County Jail where he allegedly became more aggressive and managed to take off a spit hood and spit on an officer two times.

He was booked on potential charges of third-degree driving while intoxicated, fourth-degree assault, contempt of court, no proof of insurance and driving without a valid Minnesota driver’s license.

Krueger said this was the third incident within the week of a drunk driving complaint stemming from a crash.