Minnesota man with valid driver's license arrested for 28th DWI
A common argument against the widespread adoption of driverless technology is that the cars can be hacked. Perhaps these people should consider the possibility of hacking versus the fact that chronic drunk driving offenders are free to stay on the roads, imperiling - and often killing - innocent people every single day in this country.
Case in point, the Minnesota resident who was just arrested for his 28th drunk driving offense. According the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Danny Lee Bettcher probably just broke the record for most drunk driving offenses in the state of Minnesota, and he was able to do it with a valid driver's license.
Bettcher was arrested Thursday after an off-duty deputy witnessed him leaving a VFW in New York Mills and alerted the sheriff's department, who intercepted Bettcher swerving on the road and pulled him over, at which point he refused a field sobriety test, telling the deputy, "I am way over. Take me to jail."
The Star Tribune reports:
Bettcher's criminal history already includes spending four years in prison for a prior drunken driving offense, and he's been ordered to treatment at least a dozen times.
While appearing in an Otter Tail courtroom in 2010 for his 27th arrest, a record for a Minnesotan at the time, the on-and-off construction worker and handyman said, "I drink to get drunk."
I'll take my chances with the robots, please.
Comments
WHAT?!
This is so wrong on so many levels. This man should be serving more then 4 yrs. and the fact that he has a valid DL is apauling! Has he hurt, hit or killed anyone? It's just Russian Roulette when get gets behind the wheel! There is something seriously wrong in Minnesotan!
How does this happen. They
How does this happen. They need to lock him up and loose the key. Just saying.
How???
Winner! Winner!
Winner! Winner! Of the DWI and putting all of lives in danger Chicken Dinner Award!
Danny Bettcher, 28 DUI’s and lack of law enforcement
I no longer blame this guy. I blame the district attorney’s and judges, who rather than do their jobs, find it easier to just let him walk. Where are the citizens who have the power to fire the DA and these spineless judges? How powerless the deputies must feel, arrest after arrest and no consequences = YET. He needs to do 4 consecutive years for each offense (4 x 28). That ought to keep him from the bottle.
They are all idiots from the
They are all idiots from the top down
Liberals
B.D. Stewart, the problem is people continuing to put liberals into power. I agree with you
28th DUIs
Alano-ho
This ^ 💯
No Consequences?
Actually, judges are pretty much powerless because drinking and driving laws have mandated guildlines since MADD took over. I'm sure this guy has paid dearly. .08 is not drunk, double that is when problems start. A DWI destroys your life, and that's the reason this guy admits he drinks to get drunk. The law now is set up so hypethetically a cop can walk into any bar and arrest everyone with a set of keys that allows physical control of a vehicle at the bar. Everybody is now an off duty cop, judge, and jury.
Too much
If it weren't for smokers and drinkers this country wouldn't exist. Go broke for sure. Treatment Centers are a 10 billion dollar industry alone. Tac dollars and insurance scams. Just like the war on drugs. Put half the population in prison. Drinking age at 21 is pile up waiting to happen.
MADD
Candy Lightener, the founder of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) resigned from MADD when they pushed to lower the standard from .10 to .08.She wanted police to get the very drunk off the roads. Her 13 year old daughter was killed by a very drunk repeat offender.
Reply
Funny NOT how alcohol is legal and smoking a joint in South Carolina is illegal. Alcohol causes more heartbreak on and off the roads than marijuana. We pay $26,000 a year to house inmates who are nonviolent 3 strikes for marijuana. LEGALIZE NOW! NORMAL
Otis Campbell
I agree! He's an admitted Otis Campbell aka whatever his name was ....point is they apparently failed to properly punish him therefore endangering the public and allowing him to re offend and apparently believe it's alright to continue the same behavior... Judge should have to do time as well... every single one who failed to force him to get help or be committed to a mental facilty or jail. Seriously IF there was a limit to how many... either they'd stop the behavior or drive without a license ...then he'd be in jail 🤦🏼♀️
Life
Take his life and put him in a prison before he takes someone's life and put them in a casket.
Fire the manager of the person whom issued his license and put that person in the same cell as his bunk-mate.
Amen
And hallelujah!
28 DUIs with VALID Driver License!!
As a mother & a grandmother of young persons of driving age, I am scared by this news. Idiotic jackasses like him that have no respect for human life do not deserve freedom at all!! This is the reason that certain laws should be Nation-wide, not by state!! That man in some states would have only 3 strikes & been put away for life!! He is the reason why so many people die every year on the roads! I totally agree that whoever issued his driver license last needs to find a new job, after going through a DWI/DUI class where they show accidents & victims of drunken driver accidents!! The lawyers, judges, anyone involved in his getting away with it for 28 times, also need to be disciplined the same way!! WHAT DO YOU THINK?
wasting my time
not only dwi, but everyday, in rural mo. narrow curvy 2 lane roads, most of the driving public, are dangerous assholes., , they speed, waay too fast for these roads, and , tailgate, theres no where to go, no shoulders, and never give enough room behind the other car.,putting our lives in danger, its all of you who do this america, with or without drink ect., and cops dont care, its all drivers , who have no focus and brains, and only care about, themselves , we'll all get there, lets get there alive., thats whats wrong with america.
wasting my time 2.0
You forgot to mention that most people behind the wheel today pay wayyy more attention to their cell phone, than the road or the other people on it!
hi, quit wasting our taxpayer money on jailing people who...
dude, the guy needs rehab or therapy, not a jail sentence. All u are doing is wasting his time, our money, and everyone is just in a funk. How will that fix the problem long-term?
Law enforcement are such tools sometimes that they forget how to be human and think sometimes. Stop beating everything and everyone who doesnt fall in line with a stick and start being responsible thoughtful wiser problem-solving members of society instead of doing the same thing 28 times and expecting different results. The guy needs professional help. Not goon treatment. Can't you figurethat out after at least the third time? And clearly he's not going to go in on his own. So since you have him cornered anyway, instead of wasting our money paying more tools to kick him around, do us all a favor and get him a really good therapist or rehab instead.
Stop wasting tax payer money?
Who the hell do you think is going to pay for this so call "really good therapist?" I agree he's sick, however, his sickness can be fatal to people simply because they are within 20 feet of him. In this perticular case, the man stated he "drinks to get drunk" that's a reckless, premeditated effort to break the law, knowing he will become a danger on the road. Rehab rearly ever works! If that were the case, given the fact that every single state has a manditory treatment program for DUI offenders, we would hear more about the many, many examples of its success but we don't! The problem is drukeness in our cuture is not seen as a problem because the recovery (sobering-up) time is so quick and the offender is back to normal till the next time. Drunkeness is the scurge of this and many countries. Hell, the president MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) gets busted for a DUI! The health industry refers to alcoholism as a diseases and I get it, however, they are very vauge about the cure! Treament seems to be the consensus but, when should it start and for how long, who should pay for it and most importantly... what is the presummed success rate? In my opinion, if you want to stop a person from drunking and becoming a danger abstinece is the only remedy. If a person refuses to self engage in this process, weather it be with therapy or left to he or shes on devises then to only other option is isolation. Many municipalities have tried in- home detention as a compassionate alturnative, however, this often fails as access to alcohol is relatively easy. As a last resort imprisonment must be instituted as a safe guard to out of control behavior. Simply put... I'll pay to imprison a danagorous drunk rather then take my chances on a system of "treatment" that has never shown any signs of any substantial success!
Foolish statements
@john - "rehab rarely ever works"?
Hmm, what's your source of knowledge here buddy? Methinks it's not expertise or familiarity with the field of addiction recovery. The failure here isn't rehab, it's that he didn't have an ignition interlock installed. It's amazing to me that that is even possible. In VA, where I live, it's common after first offense and requires after second.
and to the trolls talking about liberals being in power causing this...what? How about people so what makes sense, and what the science says works, and later for all the political stuff.
Quit wasting tax payer money?
Permalink- Try reading the article. It says he's been sent to theray "at least a dozen times"! How's that worked so far? Therapy does not help those who do not want to help themselves. His own quote, "I drink to get drunk," tells you his actions are deliberate and therefore, criminal. Take your bleeding heart, no one is responsible for their actions comments and go sit quietly in the corner.
has been to rehab, article
has been to rehab, article already adressed this. prison is exactly what he needs, no access to drive while incarcerated.
Rehab only works if one wants it to
This guy could be given rehab 28 times, too, but unless he truly wants to quit drinking, it won't work.
DWI
Did you not read the part that he had been in rehab many, many times?
Rehab
A DWI destroys your life as you knew it and too easy to be used as a weapon to get back at someone. Call them in, drunk or not. .08 is not. Once you get one you're flagged to be pulled over for any stupid reason. Lose your job, house, car, marriage. 10 yrs of your life shot. But who cares? I can't believe I'm wasting this time to do this.
rehab vs prison for habitual DUI
Rehab only works for people willing to actually get sober and stay that way. This bozo just drinks to get drunk, he likes being drunk, and has no intention to stop. In California he would already be serving a very engthy prison sentence, which is as it should be. Don't inflict unrepentent losers like this chump on the folks in rehab who are actually willing to do the work, and have a desire to get and to stay clean. This is the reason so many of us decide to simply stop drinking altogether, for life, our and everyone else's.
Enforce that he had health insurance!
Let's having health insurance so the taxpayers aren't funding his much needed mental therapy as well as incarceration! Shame we can't press charges against the judges who e set him free for minimally reckless endangerment of the general public🤦🏼♀️
Do you really think you can
Do you really think you can rehab a guy with 28 DUI's? Of course you can't!! The issue is this guy on the road. So the solution is you lock him up for 20 years and he gets his rehab in jail. That might not solve his drinking problem but it does solve the problem of 330 million other Americans that might otherwise find themselves on the same road with him. And that's whom you should be looking out for....the general public...,
Why?
Why is this man in possession of a driver's license AT ALL at this point? What the hell is the matter with the court system that he is allowed to possess this right after 28 violatons???? Take away his driver's license, give man kind a fighting chance...He can use his two legs or ride a bike, otherwise, he should be living behind bars.
He is not "sick."
He has a character defect, and it can't be cured.
You’re dumb
Hmm, you're dumb. People who opine about "Character defect[s]" rarely have much character themselves.
Alcohol problem
If Danny Bettcher wasn’t to get drunk that’s his business,but there is no way that this man should ever have a driver’s liscense.Minnesota needs to change or make some laws to address this.Contact your state representatives to get the ball rolling and keep on them.Fortunately Mr. Bettcher was stopped and did not harm or kill someone before he got to his destination that night.I almost killed someone 47 years ago while driving beyond drunk.I also drank to get drunk.I got help and the only violation since were parking tickets.Raise hell and get some new laws or vote for new reps who will.
Problem is Minnesota
Obviously, Minnesota is the problem. THey seem to have no accountability in anything. Not a surprise in a blue state. In Ga, 3 strikes and you're out
Blue state
Minnesota doesn't handle DUI's correctly but look who you sent to Congress!!! MTG... Biggest Georgia mess ever. No need to say anything else.
MTG ROCKS!🙏🏻♥️🤗🇺🇸
Georgia is right proud of MTG ...she's one of the few with a lick of sense! Not to mention she's shaking things up and trying to help them make a positive difference in our lives and look even You know her name!!🤣 can't think of a sole from MN to be proud of honestly... not a one comes to mind🤣🙏🏻
No action 28 times for DUI
Unbelievable!!! I am speechless. Still looking for the cameras...this has got to be a prank! I can not fathom an individual caught 28 TIMES for DUI and the thousands of times he was NOT. What does it take to keep the public safe? It is the job starting with Bettcher all the way up the ladder. The only individuals I see doing an outstanding job are the police officers! Yes, all 28 of you have upheld the law to keep the public safe. Hats off to all 28 of you!! I would personally like to apologize for the brick wall in front of your face. Maybe now they will knock it down to avoid hitting you face again. The rest of you who are involved shame on all you for allowing these events in history to happen. If it was your loved ones injured or God for bid killed this would have never happened. It is said your 4th DUI is a felony therefore we have 25 felonies in this case. No one wants to receive that phone call! Let's make a difference today. PLEASE protect our loved ones too!! God Bless to all.
Huh?
Political Parties Not to Blame
Just starting off with a correction for those who want to blame liberals or Minnesota being a "blue state." In 2017 when this incident took place, the Minnesota state legislature was majority Republican in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the Governor was a Democrat. So clearly no laws were made nor executive orders issued to address this problem.
New York is a blue state, and our penalties for DWI are more severe than those in MN. A first time offense in NY is a mandatory fine, up to one year in prison, and six-month license suspension. Compared that to only potential jail time and a one month suspension in MN. The third offense in a 10-year period in NY is a class D felony with a mandatory one year license suspension, possible permanent license revocation, mandatory fine up to $10,000, and up to seven years in prison. A third DWI in MN in a 10-year period results in the installation of an ignition lock for three to six years OR permanently lose your license. Here is something directly from the MN Dept of Public Safety website: “The time-period for loss of driving privileges will double for many DWI offenders, but offenders that install ignition interlock will be able to drive immediately.” That’s insane, that you can have three offenses and still be able to drive immediately.
Just another minor correction about Georgia’s drunk driving laws. It’s not really three strikes and you’re out, but you are down for a long time. A third DWI offense within five years of the second offense results in a mandatory minimum 15 days in jail, minimum $1000 fine, minimum 30 days community service, five-year license suspension, seizure of license plates, mandatory clinical evaluation, and having your name, address, and photo published in the newspaper.
Regarding drunk drivers
Since everyone on this forum has an opinion about what to do with drunken drivers and their inability to make the right decision and get some help. I don't understand why the people on this forum connect this persons sickness with politics it is foolish and doesn't address the problem. The law should be an ascending scale meaning the first dui should carry a mandatory 10 day jail sentence a 5,000.00 fine, 1 year loss of driving privileges and mandatory rehab program paid by the offender. Then doubled each time until the 4th at which time the sentence should be 10 years in a federal penitentiary and loss of driving privileges for life in all 50 states. If you think that's to harsh talk to me about what it's like to lose a brother to a drunk driver, Himself. Alcoholism is the worst habit a person can have and it will devastate a complete family. But let's all watch the super bowl with non-stop beer commercials. Now if you want to blame alcoholism on politics that's ok. What I blame it on is the company's that make the booze and that means beer too. They are the ones that contribute to alcoholism by putting it in your face 40 times a day on television and every other billboard saying how great this beer would be for you. And they do it shamelessly. Those alcohol giant's should contribute to all 50 states rehab centers for alcoholism. Enough said
🙏🏻😉common sense😳
I like it! When do you run for office so we can get a common sense law!🙏🏻😉🙏🏻 family member just lost a foot due to a drunk driver! I'm all for our Judges using a lil common sense as well! If their baby had been hit and nearly killed I feel sure they'd think differently 🙏🏻
28th drunk driving arrest
Look I have had 2DUI"s treated very badly and decided to be in recovery instead, this idiot gets away with this, what is wrong with the judicial system such hypocrites I have no sympathy for this jack ass or the system that let him get away with it
Yeah, but...
As a recovery coach, I agree he needs help but after this many arrests, he needs the help that a prison provides to keep us safe. He is not some poor helpless soul, he is a criminal.
Why?
It seems that the writer is more concerned about this drunk man's mobility than the safety of others.
Here's an idea ! Lock. This. Guy. UP. Forever. Period.
The issues surrounding driverless vehicles are a completely separate debate.
The. Alcoholic.
Dear people, I am a miracle today cause I do it ONE DAY AT A TIME. I'm recovering from 8-2-88. You have to want to quit. Took a long time driving drunk to realize there had to be a safer better way to live.
William MATTILA
This needs to be fixed without the government making it worse
This is a perfect example how how nothing is done regarding reckless driving and DWI, untill an innocent person gets killed. Then the person is put in prison for years at taxpayers expense, for something that a few weeks in jail and some more creative methods of reducing the danger that drunk drivers create.
A lot of drunks drive big high riding vehicles. Go by the parking lot of any bar to see. Also, the non at fault driver tries to steer away from the drunk in a head on collision, causing them to get hit at an angle. This is why the drunk usually survives the crash and responsible victim ends up dying.
There needs to be a creative solution where a person who has a DWI is still allowed to ride a motorcycle or drive a small car, but is not allowed to drive an SUV. This will make the roads a lot safer and it will prevent them from just driving a big SUV illegally with a suspended license that makes it illegal to even ride a scooter. Also, giving out DWI and taking a driver's license away from being drunk while riding a bicycle needs to end. This is how the government actually makes things worse.
Correcting above
I'm spoiled by being used to being able to edit what I write after submitting it.
I meant to say for something that could have been prevented by a few weeks in jail and some more creative methods ...
When a car gets hit at an angle, the driver often misses the airbag, passing it on its left side. That's why it is so much worse. The NHTSA has done some "oblique" crash tests in the past to demonstrate this. It really should be part of the normal crash tests for every vehicle.
Minnesota's Most Notorious Drunk Driver has Passed Away just aft
A northwestern Minnesota man who had at least 28 DWI arrests on his record has died.
Danny Lee Bettcher
Danny Bettcher, 67, of New York Mills died unexpectedly of natural causes at his home on Oct. 20, (2020) according to an online obituary.
https://www.twincities.com/2020/10/27/minnesotas-most-notorious-drunken-driver-dies-of-natural-causes-at-67/
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