Golf cart driver faces felony charge
Published 9:35 am Friday, July 10, 2009
An Albert Lea man faces a felony charge and one lesser count for allegedly being drunk and driving over a woman with a golf cart at a park in Austin Saturday evening.
Milton Christian Paulsen, 63, allegedly was trying to move the cart a few feet to a power outlet at Beaver Trails Jellystone Park when he said he accidentally pressed the accelerator and collided with the 61-year-old woman, according to a court complaint.
The golf cart and the woman landed in a pond, and the victim was trapped under the cart. Paulsen said he helped keep her head above water while others removed the cart.
She suffered a broken ankle.
When sheriff deputies responded at around 10:45 p.m., they said Paulsen appeared to have watery, bloodshot eyes and was slurring his speech. Paulsen admitted he had been drinking since 11 a.m. that day and said he was “probably” impaired, according to the complaint.
His blood alcohol content at 12:06 a.m. on Sunday was .14.
Paulsen was charged with criminal vehicular operation, a felony, and a fourth-degree DWI, which is a misdemeanor.
He has been summoned to appear in Mower County court on Aug. 6.