Feb. 01--The Zamboni driver arrested Monday for allegedly clearing the ice while intoxicated has been indefinitely suspended from his part-time job with the city of Apple Valley, officials said.
Joel K. Bruss, 34, of Apple Valley, has worked part time for the city for 15 years, said Director of Parks and Recreation Randy Johnson.
Police on Monday were called to city-owned Hayes Arena on Monday night after citizens called to say the man driving the Zamboni appeared drunk.
Johnson said a coach of a pee-wee hockey game was concerned that Bruss might hurt himself or cause damage to the equipment. A witness reported to the police that Bruss had hit one of the walls while clearing the ice. But Johnson said there was no damage to the equipment or the indoor ice arena.
When officers arrived on Monday, they saw Bruss struggling to maneuver the vehicle off the ice.
Bruss was unsteady on his feet and smelled of an alcoholic beverage, according to a news release.
Police arrested Bruss on suspicion of driving while impaired. He was taken to the police station where blood alcohol testing was completed. The test has been submitted to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension lab for analysis.
Bruss, who has not yet been charged, was convicted of driving while intoxicated once in 2002 and twice in 1999, according to state court records.
Bruss did not immediately return a phone message left by the Pioneer Press.
Jessica Fleming can be reached at 651-228-5435. Follow
her at twitter.com/jessflem.
Copyright 2012 - Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
