The director of Hubbard County Social Services was arrested early Friday morning on suspicion of drunk driving.
Thomas Guy Sandberg, 51, was charged in Hubbard County District Court with 3rd Degree Driving While Impaired, a gross misdemeanor.
A special meeting of the Hubbard County Board of Commissioners has been scheduled for Thursday, March 24. The meeting will be closed, according to state law, to discuss charges and allegations regarding the employee.
According to the criminal complaint, at approximately 1:15 a.m. a Park Rapids police officer was patrolling Central Avenue North when he observed the vehicle in front of him cross the fog line twice.
The officer initiated a traffic stop and when he approached the vehicle he noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle.
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While speaking to the driver, identified as Sandberg, the officer noted signs of possible intoxication. The officer had Sandberg perform field sobriety tests where he was described as “unsteady on his feet.”
Sandberg was arrested and transported to the law enforcement center where he consented to a breath test.
According to the complaint, Sandberg’s Blood Alcohol Content was .18, over twice the legal limit, at 2:23 a.m.
Sandberg was hired in October as director of Hubbard County Social Services and started the position in November.
Due to possible conflict of interest in Hubbard County the case has been referred to Becker County for prosecution.
Sandberg stated in an email Monday he is consulting an attorney before commenting.
