DWI All-Stars — honored at Twins game — took more than 4,000 impaired drivers off Minnesota roads
August 21, 2023
If you were at the Minnesota Twins game Sunday, you may have noticed the man throwing the first pitch wore a different uniform than the rest of the pitchers during the game. Trooper Gustavo Culbeaux was chosen to throw the ceremonial first pitch to honor his work getting impaired drivers off our roads.
“Every impaired driver taken off the road is a potential life that is saved, and that makes it all worth it," Culbeaux said. “I'm thankful for every law enforcement officer who helps make the roads safer through DWI enforcement."
Culbeaux — a member of this year's Minnesota DWI Enforcement All-Stars — has dedicated his career to getting impaired drivers off our roads since joining the Minnesota State Patrol in 2018. Our Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) recognized Culbeaux along with more than 60 other officers, troopers, deputies and prosecutors for their efforts to stop bad decisions from turning into tragedies in 2022. Culbeaux, who has been recognized as a DWI All-Star for the past four years, led the team with 173 impaired driving arrests last year. It's the second time he's been the top DWI Enforcer All-Star.
Together, the All-Stars made 4,447 DWI arrests across Minnesota, contributing to the nearly 26,000 DWI arrests made by all of law enforcement in 2022.
“The DWI All-Stars do more than just arrest impaired drivers. They save lives, stop crashes before they happen and keep families from feeling the lifelong heartache of losing a loved one," OTS Director Mike Hanson said. “Impaired driving by any substance puts the driver, their passengers and everyone on the road around them at risk. Don't chance it. Always get a sober ride."
There's more than one way to be under the influence. Alcohol, prescription medication, recently legalized cannabis or any other drug can contribute to impairment and a DWI. Drugged driving accounted for 8,069 DWI incidents from 2013-2017 compared with 15,810 from 2018-2022.
Each one is dangerous. There were 412 drunk driving-related traffic deaths in the last five years (2018-2022) in our state. The All-Stars' commitment to the safety of drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians is protecting innocent lives.
Help them out by protecting yourself and your loved ones:
- Designate a sober driver, use a safe, alternative transportation option, or stay at the location of the celebration.
- Speak up. Offer to be a designated driver or be available to pick up a loved one anytime, anywhere.
- If you plan to drive, refrain from drugs, whether legally or illegally obtained. Impaired is impaired.
- If you don't yet know how a medication will affect your judgment, coordination and reaction time, either have someone else drive or wait to take it until after you get home.
See a full list of our OTS DWI All-Stars on our website.