Nisswa police arrested Lake Shore City Council member Susan Amacher for driving while intoxicated at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 27, following a three-vehicle collision on State Highway 371.
The Minnesota State Patrol arrested Amacher's husband, Ryan, who was operating the couple's pickup truck at the time of the collision, for DWI, according to police reports.
According to the incident report, 68-year-old Ryan Amacher rear-ended a vehicle in the turn lane to County Road 77 on northbound Highway 371. The second vehicle, driven by Michael John Martin of Breezy Point, then rear-ended the vehicle in front of it in the turn lane, which was being driven by Martin's wife, Rachel.
All of the vehicles involved pulled into the Wendy's parking lot at the northwest corner of the intersection. Nisswa Police Chief Craig Taylor said Susan Amacher, 67, drove the truck while in the parking lot.
The State Patrol made contact with all parties involved in the crash and called for backup. Officers from Nisswa, Pequot Lakes and Crosslake responded.
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Susan Amacher, whose city council term expires this year, gave a deficient sample on scene, but a second preliminary test administered at the Crow Wing County Jail registered her blood alcohol content (BAC) at .15, nearly double the legal limit of .08.
Results of Ryan Amacher's preliminary breath test were not available, per Minnesota State Patrol policy. Urine test results have not been been received at this time.
Both were charged with fourth-degree DWI. Crow Wing County Court Administrator officials said there are no hearings currently scheduled for the pair.
Martin was also tested on scene, but his BAC came back as .05, below the legal limit.
When reached for comment Monday, June 30, Susan Amacher said she had been in contact with a lawyer from Minneapolis and wished to speak with the lawyer before making a statement.
Amacher has served as a city council member in Lake Shore since March 2010, first as an appointee to fill the vacancy upon Vicki LaMere's death. She was then elected to the seat in November 2010.
