Two drivers arrested after joyride felled trees and sent residents scrambling

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River Falls police finally caught up with two male suspects in a reckless driving incident Saturday night on the city’s south side in the Greenwood Valley Drive area. A 31-year-old River Falls man was arrested for drunk driving-second offense. He allegedly kept careening his Hummer off and on the road, across yards, over trees, into utility junction boxes. Adults outside at the time said it was miracle no one was hit and killed, including children.

The man later hit a parked vehicle on East Johnson Street. He exchanged places inside the Hummer with his passenger, a 28-year-old Baldwin man, soon after. When police stopped the two in the area of Foster and South Main streets, the Baldwin man was driving. He, too, was arrested for drunk-driving-2nd offense.

The Baldwin man told an officer he took over behind the wheel because his friend’s driving was bad.

Criminal charges are pending with the district attorney. Both men were taken to jail.

Damages to city property, including seven trees, two signs and a fire hydrant total $2,800. Other damages are still being calculated.

Police also:

--Arrested an 18-year-old local man for drunk driving and transporting intoxicants in the area of South Main Street and Cemetery Road around 7 a.m. Sunday. The driver apparently fell asleep at the wheel in the middle of the intersection. As an officer approached he moved on before being pulled over on Cemetery by Wisconsin Street. The man was described as unsteady on his feet and slurring his words to the point of incoherence. He said he was returning from a party with a friend. Police found no passenger – only 24 beers allegedly kept in a cooler. These were confiscated. After being arrested and given fines totaling over $900, the man was turned over to the sober care of his mother.

Tags: river falls, news, crime, accidents