A Minneapolis man has been charged with criminal vehicular homicide, accused of being drunk when he ran over a bike rider on Franklin Avenue in south Minneapolis a week ago.
The driver, John Iverson, 49, had a blood alcohol level of 0.27, which is three times the legal limit, authorities said. Those results came from a preliminary breath test, though further toxicology results are pending.
"Not only was he drunk, but he was driving too fast," said Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, who did not give a speed estimate.
After charges were filed Thursday, Iverson turned himself in Friday morning.
Calling the episode tragic and unnecessary, Freeman said he would seek bail of $150,000 and conditions such as wearing an electronic bracelet to prevent him from driving. The hearing is expected to take place Monday.
If convicted, Iverson faces up to four years in prison.
Iverson is accused of running down Marcus Nalls, a 26-year-old sous chef and bicycle commuter who had lights on the front and back of his bike. He also was wearing a helmet.
A dedicated cyclist who commuted for several years while living and working in Atlanta, Nalls embraced winter cycling when the Hyatt Regency recently promoted and relocated him to Minneapolis.
