Teen takes deal after drunken crash
Published 7:34 am Tuesday, April 11, 2017
An 18-year-old Austin man reached a plea agreement in Mower County District Court Monday after he smashed the SUV he was driving into three other vehicles on Dec. 21, 2016.
Brandon Michael-Scott Garson pleaded guilty as part of the deal to felony fourth-degree assault of a peace officer and gross misdemeanor third-degree DWI. He’d previously been charged with a second count of fourth-degree assault of a peace officer, a second gross misdemeanor third-degree DWI charge, a second-degree DWI charge, and two misdemeanors: obstructing the legal process and driving without proof of insurance.
According to Austin police and court records, he 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.
Officers were called at 10:43 p.m. and Garson allegedly attempted to leave the scene but was detained.
He claimed to be driving 25 to 30 mph, but a witness estimated he was driving faster than 60 mph on a city street.
According to the report, officers detected the smell of alcohol, slurred speech and watery eyes and Garson failed a field sobriety test.
He was taken to the Mower County Jail. On the way there, he pounded his head against the squad car Plexiglas.
At the jail, he allegedly became more aggressive, leading to him being put in a spit hood and restraint chair, but he managed to take off the spit hood and spit on an officer two times.
He was found to have no proof of insurance and driving without a valid Minnesota driver’s license.
His criminal history shows a Nov. 23, 2016, DWI conviction for operating a snowmobile or ATV under the influence of alcohol.
He’s scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 14.