Zamboni Driver Charged with DWI – BAC was Four Times Legal Limit

On Behalf of | Mar 5, 2012 | Drunk Driving Defense

An Apple Valley is facing four different charges of driving while impaired (DWI) after Dakota County prosecutors filed charges against him this week. According to the complaint, the man’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was four times the legal limit. The BAC limit in Minnesota is 0.08.

In January, concerned parents at an Apple Valley ice arena called police after they observed

the Zamboni driver operating the machine in an inconsistent manner across the ice. The driver missed some spots on his first pass to resurface the ice. On his second pass, the driver had to be reminded to turn on the water.

When police arrived, the driver had gotten the large ice resurfacer stuck halfway on the ice and halfway off. The driver of the Zamboni, Joel Bruss, admitted to police officers that he had been drinking before coming to work and had driven himself to work in his car.

After being arrested for DWI, Bruss provided a sample for a urine test. His BAC was 0.32.

This was not Bruss’ first time being charged with driving under the influence (DUI). In 1999, Bruss was convicted of DUI twice and in 2002, he was convicted of another DUI. Because the first two DUIs, were over ten years ago, he is facing gross misdemeanor instead of felony DUI charges, however given his significant BAC, the penalty for a conviction is still likely to be severe.

Source: www.twincities.com, “Apple Valley Zamboni Driver Charged With DWI Had Blood Alcohol Level of 0.21, Police Say,” Jessica Fleming, 2 March 2012