The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

May 6, 2009

D.D. charge possible

Gould could also face charges for failing to report accident, driving after revocation

By Robb Murray

BEAUFORD — A rural Mapleton man was arrested late Tuesday and could face charges for drunken driving, failing to report an accident and driving with a revoked license.

Authorities say John Lee Gould, 27, rolled his car at about 9 p.m. on Blue Earth County Road 16 near Beuford. A passerby stopped and called for help.

To anyone listening to a police scanner, this situation may have appeared comical.

Dispatchers could be heard at first telling responding deputies that the driver was asking the passerby for a ride home to get another vehicle to tow the rolled vehicle out of the ditch.

Then the dispatcher said the man was asking to be taken home immediately. Then she said he was begging for a ride. Finally, she said he was begging the passerby to let them hide in her trunk.

Eventually it became clear there were two men involved in the rollover. The passerby left the scene without giving anyone a ride anywhere, and the driver and passenger fled.

Responding deputies found both a short time later at their residence near Beauford. The driver, a statement from the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Department said, “exhibited signs of intoxication.”

Gould also had an active warrant for his arrest from a Nicollet County charge of failing to appear on a DWI charge.

Deputies arrested Gould on both the warrant and new DWI-related charges from Tuesday’s rollover.

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