doyle0122208
On the homepage
Sunday's paper
Out There
9/11 trial
Outreach
Home | Politically Connected | National Politics | U.S. Senate
Sen. Coleman staffer arrested on suspicion of driving drunk
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Share on Digg
An occasional driver for Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving Sunday, according to his attorney, David Valentini.
Adam Doyle, 24, of Minneapolis, was released on $12,000 bail after being arrested early Sunday by University of Minnesota police, according to Hennepin County Sheriff's Office records.
When reached by phone Monday, Doyle referred questions to his attorney. Valentini said Doyle, a law student at the University of St. Thomas, occasionally drives Coleman and is a part-time staffer in his Minnesota office.
"Adam feels absolutely terrible about this," Valentini said. "He was absolutely despondent over it."
He said Doyle's blood alcohol content was more than 0.2. The legal limit is 0.08.
Last April, Doyle's fiancée, Melissa Speich, was killed after a drunken driver ran a red light and struck her vehicle near the Metrodome.
Geoffrey Baker, 34, of Hudson, Wis., had a blood alcohol content of nearly twice the legal limit when his vehicle hit Speich's car. He was charged with criminal vehicular homicide.
At the time, Doyle told the Minnesota Daily, "Melissa is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I still can't believe that when I go home that she's not going to walk through the door every day."
Doyle has no prior drunken driving convictions or serious traffic violations, according to public records.
Late Monday, Coleman issued this statement: "Adam will need to take responsibility for his actions. Over the past year, Adam has undergone enormous personal tragedy, and while we all sympathize with his loss, his actions this weekend were inexcusable. At the same time, everybody makes mistakes, and I will be there to support him going forward."
COURTNEY BLANCHARD
Recent U.S. Senate stories
Democratic backer of 'cash for clunkers' bill criticizes compromise legislation - January 22, 2008
Democratic backer of 'cash for clunkers' bill criticizes compromise legislation - Legislation that would give car buyers a government voucher up to $4,500 when they trade in gas guzzlers hit a speed bump in the Senate amid concerns that a compromise between the White House and House Democrats doesn't go far enough to protect the environment. More
The Whistleblower blog has moved
The Star Tribune is still blowing the whistle, but our look and location have changed. Click here to get to the new blog. If you want the actual URL, it’s www.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower.html. Our blog posts will now be easier to search on the web site, but you’ll need to register to post a comment. In the [...]
Recent posts
 Open House ShowcaseThousands of homes open this weekend!View all open houses >> View all homes for sale >> |
Win tickets to see Dafnis Prieto Sextet at Walker Art Center.Vita.mn presents Dafnis Prieto Sextet in McGuire Theater at Walker Art Center on Nov. 21. |
Comment on this story | Be the first to comment | Hide reader comments