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Famous Minnesota 'super lawyer' who specializes in traffic claims drove drunk, struck highway construction worker and fled scene
A prominent Minnesota 'super lawyer' who specializes in lawsuits regarding traffic accidents admitted to striking a construction worker with his SUV and driving drunk before fleeing the scene.
James Carey, 64, who is featured on bestlawyers.com, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a gross misdemeanor in connection to an accident that took place on October 6 around 11.40am on the shoulder of Interstate 35 near Hinckley.
The construction worker that he hit, Joseph G. Flanagan, 28, was hospitalized for his injuries, including a gravely bruised and swollen arm.
The Sieben Carey lawyer initially fled the scene but was found by officers about 35 miles away, according to records reviewed by Bring Me The News.
A trooper that responded to the crash site found the victim, who wore a neon construction vest, in a ditch.
Personal injury attorney James Carey, 64, accepted a plea deal on Tuesday in connection to a crime he committed on October 6
The officer soon noticed tire tracks in dirt nearby and suspected that Carey got back in his car and drove away after hitting the worker.
A woman who witnessed the crash said that Carey passed two vehicles before he hit the worker as he drove on the shoulder to 'pass slower traffic in front,' charges read.
When he was finally stopped by authorities, police said that he smelled of alcohol. His blood alcohol level was 0.143%, more than one-and-a-half times higher than the state's legal limit.
Carey agreed to plead guilty to a gross misdemeanor charge of criminal vehicular operation while under the influence of alcohol.
The lawyer said that he thought he hit a neon orange road sign. He added that if he knew it was a person, he would have stopped.
He also said that at the time of the accident he was very tired as he was struggling to sleep because of a death in his family. Carey admitted to taking sleeping pills and drinking three glasses of wine the day before the crash, the Star Tribune reported.
With this deal, it's recommended that the lawyer-turned-criminal serve four years of probation and pay a $900 fine, as opposed to serving 364 days in jail.
He must also submit chemical testing, participate in a drunk driving victim impact panel and write an apology letter to Flanagan. Carey is also not allowed to consume alcohol or illegal drugs.
Carey also has to complete 80 hours of community service, but anything related to his legal career, including pro-bono work, will not be accepted.
A judge will decide whether or not to accept the terms of his plea during a sentencing scheduled for September 4.
During the crash, Carey drove drunk, hit a construction worker and fled the scene before cops located him about 35 miles away from the scene
Carey is the president and managing partner of Sieben Carey, 'Know Your Rights' firm based out of Duluth, Minnesota.
According to the firm's website, he specifically works with clients to find justice in wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits, including care accidents, nursing home negligence and abuse, medical malpractice, and catastrophic personal injury.
He is a certified Civil Trial Law Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and the Minnesota State Bar Association. Only about two percent of personal injury attorneys in the state receive that award, according to the website.
From 2010-2011 he served as president of the Minnesota Association for Justice, and in 2022 he was given the title 'Lawyer of the Year' for his work in personal injury litigation.
Outside of his job, Carey 'contributes countless hours' of volunteer and mentorship and serves as a board member for non-profit's.
He is presently on the board of directors for the Minnesota Family Foundation, a group that serves Minnesota military personnel and families who face financial crises.
Carey has won awards from Super Lawyers Top 100, Minnesota State Bar Association and Best Lawyers.