Bemidji DWI Charge Filed After Crash Alert
Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man is facing a gross misdemeanor DWI charge after an Apple Watch crash alert led police to a damaged car in a ditch.
Joseph Laurier Poulin, 53, of Bemidji, is charged in Beltrami County District Court with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The charge was filed under Minnesota Statute 169A.20, with reference to Minnesota Statute 169A.26.
The court file number is 04-CR-26-1089. The case is listed in Minnesota’s 9th Judicial District.
Crash Alert Led Police To Ditch
According to the criminal complaint, police were called at about 12:53 a.m. on May 13, 2026. The call involved an Apple Watch crash notification near Jefferson Avenue SW and Gregg Court NW in Bemidji.
When police arrived, they found a heavily damaged sedan in a ditch. The vehicle was just north of one Gregg Court entrance, according to the complaint.
Police did not see anyone at first. They then found a man leaning back in the driver’s seat. The complaint says he appeared to wake up when police knocked on the window.
Complaint Details Sobriety Testing
The man was later identified as Joseph Laurier Poulin. Police reported that his eyes were watery and bloodshot. They also noted slurred speech and confusion.
The complaint says the steering wheel airbag had deployed. Police asked Poulin to exit the car and walk toward the road.
While walking, Poulin started to fall into the ditch, according to the complaint. Police helped him stand near a squad car.
Investigators said Poulin had trouble answering questions. They also said he appeared distracted during the contact.
The complaint states Poulin performed field sobriety tests. Police reported that he did not complete the tests in a satisfactory way.
Poulin provided a preliminary breath test result of 0.181, according to the complaint.
Breath Test Reported At Jail
Poulin was arrested and taken to the Beltrami County Jail. The complaint says he was read the breath test advisory.
He told police he understood the advisory. He declined to speak with an attorney, according to the complaint.
Poulin then agreed to provide a breath sample. A DMT test returned a reported result of 0.21 at 1:44 a.m.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine. Court records can be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.
A criminal complaint is not a conviction. Poulin is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.