Walker Area DWI Case: Bethel Man Charged
Cass County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bethel man is facing two gross misdemeanor DWI charges after a truck was found in a ditch near Minnesota Highway 371.
Donald Joseph Muonio, 27, of Bethel, Minnesota, is charged in Cass County District Court. The case is filed under court number 11-CR-26-787.
The charges stem from an incident reported on May 29, 2026. Cass County dispatch received a report of a vehicle in the ditch near Arthur’s Point Road.
The caller said the driver appeared confused. A Cass County deputy responded and found a truck about 50 to 75 yards from the roadway.
Investigators said tire tracks showed where the truck left the road.
Driver Allegedly First Denied Driving
According to the court complaint, Muonio first said he was a passenger. He claimed he met another person camping in the woods. He said that person had driven his truck.
Muonio allegedly could not provide the person’s name. He also could not describe what the person looked like.
First responders checked Muonio at the scene. The complaint states there were no immediate medical concerns.
Authorities later said the passenger seat was filled with personal property. They said there was no room for a person to sit there.
The complaint also states that the only locked seat belt was in the driver’s seat. Muonio allegedly had a seat belt injury across his left side.
Authorities said that the injury was consistent with being in the driver’s seat. Muonio later allegedly admitted he was driving the truck.
Breath Test Reported At .14 BAC
The complaint says Muonio showed signs of impairment. Those signs included the odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and watery eyes.
Authorities also reported signs of impairment during field sobriety testing.
A preliminary breath test reportedly showed a .127 blood alcohol concentration. Muonio was then taken to the Cass County Law Enforcement Center in Walker.
After being read the breath test advisory, Muonio took a DMT breath test. The complaint states the result was .14 BAC.
Muonio is charged with operating a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more. He is also charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Both charges are gross misdemeanors under Minnesota DWI law. More information on Minnesota DWI statutes is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
The complaint alleges two aggravating factors. It cites prior DWI convictions in Anoka County in 2022 and Sherburne County in 2018.
Under the complaint, each charge carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
Online case information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online. Cass County public safety information is available through the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
