Lawmaker injured by drunk driver

Rep. Jean Wagenius
Rep. Jean Wagenius is the chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division and is serving her 12th term.
MN House of Representatives

A veteran state legislator escaped serious injury in an early-morning traffic accident today.

DFL Rep. Jean Wagenius of Minneapolis was heading home from the State Capitol after a marathon House floor session that adjourned after 1 a.m. when she was rear-ended by a suspected drunk driver traveling at a high speed on I-35W near I-94 in Minneapolis, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher said.

Wagenius was treated at a hospital for minor injuries and is now resting at home, she said.

Minnesota State Patrol spokesman Lt. Matt Langer confirmed that the 21-year-old driver of the other car was arrested for suspected drunken driving. The man, from Eden Prairie, was taken to Hennepin County jail and has since been released.

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According to the incident report, Wagenius was hit from behind while slowing for traffic.

Kelliher said she always worries about lawmakers working late hours.

"She was completely alert," she said. "She was feeling fine, and obviously the other driver hit her. But I do worry about members being tired and sleepy at times. So, I think we always have to evaluate that."

Wagenius is the chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division and is serving her 12th term.