The first conviction and sentence are in the books from the citations filed against many exotic sports car drivers accused of using a west-metro interstate for a racetrack and topping 100 miles per hour.
Austin J. Kemmer, of Fargo, pleaded guilty this week in Hennepin County District Court to reckless driving and was sentenced by Judge Janet Poston to 30 days in the county workhouse, but that was stayed in favor of two days' community service.
Kemmer will also pay a $500 fine and $78 in fees. The sentence includes being on a year of unsupervised probation, during which he's under orders to not commit another traffic violation. Otherwise, the 30-day term could be imposed.
Twelve defendants were charged in connection with the high-speed cruise on April 23 along westbound Interstate 394 that continued after the route changes to Hwy. 12.
The cars that were stopped by law enforcement — and the several others that were not caught — left Morrie's Luxury Auto sales near Louisiana Avenue late that afternoon and sped west on I-394. The vehicles "were changing lanes and passing other motorists at high speeds," according to a State Patrol statement.
Many of the drivers belonged to MN Exotics and Supercars (MNE & S), an invitation-only club in the Twin Cities that touts itself as "one of the most exclusive" for high-end cars in Minnesota.
Among the models represented on this hyper-speed cruise were Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati and Audi. Kemmer's vehicle of choice that day was a 2010 Nissan GTR.
Unlike Kemmer, most of the others have hired attorneys to represent them against this misdemeanor offense. Ten have court dates later this month, with one scheduled to appear in court in late July.
