Bjarne Samuel Deschampe, 31, Grand Portage, was sentenced on November 7, 2011 with criminal operation of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and driving under the influence of alcohol. Deschampe was arrested May 7, 2011 after the car he was driving struck a pedestrian.
The victim was a 27-year-old Grand Portage woman, whose injuries could have been much worse if her boyfriend, who was walking with her, had not pulled her toward the side of the road just as she was struck. They were both thrown to the ground. The female suffered injuries to her back and hip.
When Deschampe was arrested, he admitted he had driven the vehicle and submitted to a preliminary breath alcohol test, which registered .18. Grand Portage Lodge & Casino surveillance cameras also revealed that Deschampe was in the driver’s seat when the vehicle left the casino parking area. Also observed from a distance on the surveillance camera was a vehicle hitting a person while driving at a fast rate of speed without slowing down or stopping.
On November 7, Deschampe was sentenced to one year confinement at Northeast Regional Corrections Center, which was stayed for three years with the condition that Deschampe serve 60 days in jail under the sentence-toserve or Huber work program; pay $665 in fines and fees; have no alcohol or controlled substance offenses; complete a DWI program; attend AA; and submit to random testing.
Deschampe was also charged with driving after revocation of driver’s license and received an additional fine of $300.
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