Former Minneapolis Council Member Alondra Espejel Charged With DWI After City Hall Crash

Alondra Espejel, also known as Alondra Cano during her time in office, a former Minneapolis City Council member, was arrested for driving while intoxicated after crashing into a parked vehicle near downtown Minneapolis. Police reported that she exhibited signs of intoxication such as slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and difficulty maintaining balance during field sobriety tests, which she refused to complete fully. She attempted to flee the scene by trying to drive away without providing identification or proof of insurance and was forcibly removed from her vehicle. Espejel was charged with third-degree DWI for refusing a breath test and fourth-degree DWI for driving under the influence, and she remains jailed with bail set at $6,000. During her tenure from 2014 to 2022 representing Ward 9, she advocated for police reform, including efforts to abolish the Minneapolis Police Department following George Floyd's murder, though the measure was rejected by voters. Currently, she works for a nonprofit consulting firm, and no injuries were reported in the crash.