WEST ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) -
A former soldier who was heralded as a Good Samaritan across local media outlets just six months ago is now in big trouble himself, charged with the very crime he tried to help a friend avoid.
The dangers of drinking and driving are something Kyle Kissinger is obviously aware of. He's the army veteran from West St. Paul who tried to stop a friend, Jason Shultz, from driving after he had too much to drink back in January and got severely injured in the process.
Kissinger tried to grab the keys out of his friend's car but ended up being dragged. He suffered a severe head injury, and spent quite awhile at Regions Hospital. For that, he was hailed as a would-be hero.
"When I speak at impact panels, I would talk about him as an example of doing the right thing," says Jon Cummings, of Minnesotans for Safe Driving.
Now, instead of applauding Kissinger, Cummings is outraged by his actions.
On Tuesday night, Roseville police spotted Kissinger's car near County Road B and Lexington Avenue North. The red Grand Prix crossed the fog line, nearly mailboxes and the curb. When the officer stopped Kissinger, he said, "I'm sorry, I was trying to make a call."
After further questioning, Kissinger admitted he had just left Buffalo Wild Wings where he had three Tall Boy beers, at about 20 ounces each. His breath test showed a blood alcohol level of .138.
"How ironic. This guy seems to know the right thing to do for everyone else, but apparently for him, it's a different story," said Cummings. "It speaks to the power of the drug."
According to the police report, Kissinger never mentioned the previous accident he was in just six months ago, his brain injury, and told officers he is not taking any medications.
"He's just lucky he didn't hurt himself or anyone else," says Cummings. "So I hope he looks at like that he got a good wake up call. You know? Cause he knew better."
When FOX 9 went to Kissinger's door, his mother refused to comment.
