Apr 9, 2008 11:03 pm US/Central
Hall Of Famer Still In Jail After Arrest
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
-
-
Former Minnesota Vikings great Carl Eller was arrested after he refused to give a breath test for drunken driving early Wednesday in north Minneapolis.
Hennepin County
Former Minnesota Vikings great Carl Eller has been arrested.
Eller, 66, was involved in an "alcohol-related driving offense" and assaulted two police officers in north Minneapolis early Wednesday, police spokesman Sgt. Jesse Garcia told WCCO-AM.
Authorities said the incident began at 8th and Sheridan Avenues North at around 1 a.m. Police said the officers in north Minneapolis saw an SUV swerve toward them and speed through a stop sign. They gave chase, and the SUV reached speeds of more than 60 mph through city streets.
Once pulled over, police said Eller refused to be tested for alcohol consumption and a scuffled ensued.
According to police, officers Gil Antaya and Seth Porras, who are both at least 200 pounds, had to frantically call for backup. Eller punched both officers and threw one of them onto the hood of his Mercedes SUV.
"They said they were fighting for their lives," Police Inspector Mike Martin said at a news conference, where he showed photos of the officers' injuries. Antaya has a large bump on the side of his nose and swelling near his eye, and Porras suffered scratches and bruises, Martin said.
One of them used a Taser, but Martin said it had no effect. The officers then called for backup.
During the scuffle, the officers were able to put Eller into a neck hold until help arrived, he said.
When more officers arrived, they subdued Eller and took him to the Hennepin County Jail. According to Martin, Eller refused to take a breath or blood test.
Martin said Eller did not request a lawyer when he was questioned and it was unclear if he had hired one.
Eller was held on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, fleeing police and assaulting a police officer, according to Martin. Officers planned to refer the case to county prosecutors later Wednesday.
One of the officers involved in the arrested was treated for a black eye and bruises. Martin said it was a difficult arrest for the officers, and not just because of the fight.
"These officers are crushed," Martin said. "This is a guy who was a hero."
Eller was arrested in Golden Valley in 2006 and charged with driving under the influence. A State Trooper said Eller was going 97 in a 55 mile per hour zone and changing lanes without signaling.
He later pleaded guilty to fourth-degree drunken driving, a misdemeanor.
Eller didn't immediately return calls to his home and cell phones.
Eller was a member of the famed "Purple People Eaters" in his 15 years as a defensive end with Minnesota from 1964-78. He played in six Pro Bowls and all four of the Vikings' trips to the Super Bowl. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
Eller has acknowledged his history as a substance abuser. He became a treatment counselor and has spoken publicly to groups about the problems of chemical dependency.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
