Duluth Chamber of Commerce president charged with 4th DWI, remains in jail

MONDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: Baumgartner remains in jail on Monday following his arrest early Friday morning.

According to police, he had open containers in the car and was not able to stand on his own.

Court records show Baumgartner refused to provide a blood or urine sample, including when presented with a warrant.

Baumgartner’s bail was set at $12,000 and he is expected back in court in September and was referred to a treatment court.

1:00 P.M. UPDATE: According to a police report provided by the Duluth Police Department, Baumgartner is facing three charges, including driving while intoxicated, possession of an open bottle, and refusing to submit to a required chemical test.

Officers were dispatched to the Taco Bell on London Road around 1:30 a.m. Friday for a welfare check. Upon arrival, police found Baumgartner slumped over the steering wheel of his vehicle in the drive-thru lane.

He was booked into the St. Louis County Jail, and the incident remains under investigation.

DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) - The president of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce was in jail Friday morning after being arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, marking his second similar offense while serving in the role and fourth similar offense overall.

Matt Baumgartner, 42, was arrested by Duluth police and booked into the St. Louis County Jail at approximately 3:30 a.m. Friday, according to the jail roster.

Jail staff told Northern News Now he had not been fully processed as of Friday morning. Northern News Now is working to obtain the official police report and mugshot, and has reached out to the Duluth Police Department for additional information.

Northern News Now reached out to Baumgartner and the Chamber of Commerce for a statement. The Chamber directed us to a consulting firm, which provided the following statement:

The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is aware of an issue related to Chamber President Matt Baumgartner. At this early stage, we are still in the process of learning complete details. Out of respect for Chamber personnel and members, we will not comment further until we know more.

Prior DWI conviction while serving as chamber president

Baumgartner was convicted of DWI in 2022, the year after he took over as chamber president. According to court documents related to that conviction, a witness reported a vehicle drove through a gate at a downtown Duluth parking ramp. The driver was found nodding off inside the vehicle. Police identified Baumgartner as the driver. Court records show his blood alcohol content was three times the legal limit at the time.

RELATED: Duluth Chamber of Commerce president responds to DWI charge

Baumgartner previously pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree DWI in connection with that 2022 case. He later underwent treatment at an addiction treatment center in Chisago County.

Additional DWI history

Court records also show Baumgartner has a 2006 DWI conviction. He was charged with DWI in 2017, but that charge was dismissed and he was instead convicted of careless driving.

Northern News Now will update this story as more information becomes available.

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