Questions over Chile president’s brother’s Hummer smashing Mini ensnare new health minister

Chile: President’s brother’s Hummer smashed a Mini

SANTIAGO, Chile — Chile’s health minister is in the hot seat over a car accident last year in which the president’s brother smashed into an Austin Mini with his Hummer.

New President Sebastian Pinera has joked about having to take care of his brother Miguel, a singer he describes as the black sheep of the family. In this case, however, the president is keeping his distance.

It is Health Minister Jaime Manalich who is having to deal with it. He has to explain why Miguel Pinera didn’t submit to a legally required alcohol test until 13 hours after the accident.

Miguel Pinera took the blood test at the exclusive clinic where Manalich was then medical director and the future president was a major shareholder.

The other driver’s lawyer said Monday that a judge plans to put the health minister on the witness stand.

Both drivers escaped with bruises. The Mini was crunched.