Police: St. Paul driver hits bicyclist while drunk

Authorities have charged a St. Paul woman with who they say hit a bicyclist with her SUV while drunk.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports 30-year-old Ronisha Mae Johnson was charged Thursday with felony criminal vehicular operation. Authorities say the 52-year-old male victim spent a week in a hospital with substantial injuries after the Sept. 21 crash.

Johnson tells police she drank wine coolers the night before the 7:30 a.m. crash. The criminal complaint says her blood alcohol level was 0.09, above the 0.08 legal limit.

Witnesses tell police Johnson got out of her SUV to help the man but she apparently didn't put the vehicle in park. It rolled forward and hit a stoplight.

It wasn't immediately clear if she has an attorney.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.