Plummer Teen Charged in Pennington County DWI
Pennington County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Plummer teenager faces a third-degree driving while impaired charge after an early morning traffic report.
The charge was filed in Pennington County District Court under case number 57-CR-26-355.
Erratic Driving Reported
According to the complaint, dispatch received a report at about 1:58 a.m. on May 8, 2026.
The caller described a white Chevrolet Tahoe driving erratically before stopping at Petro Pumper.
The caller also reported speaking with three juveniles inside the vehicle.
The complaint says the caller believed alcohol had been consumed.
A deputy found the Tahoe parked near the gas pumps.
An alcoholic beverage can was visible inside the vehicle, according to the filing.
The driver was identified in the complaint as Orian James Rude of Plummer.
The deputy reported bloodshot eyes, watery eyes, slurred speech, and poor balance.
Rude allegedly admitted to drinking three or four alcoholic beverages.
He then completed several field sobriety exercises, the complaint states.
The deputy reported several signs of impairment during those exercises.
Rude allegedly had trouble following directions and needed more than one attempt.
The complaint says he declined the walk-and-turn exercise because of balance problems.
Breath Tests and Minor Passengers
A preliminary breath test allegedly produced a reading of .145.
A later breath test at the law enforcement center measured .14, according to the complaint.
Minnesota law prohibits driving with an alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.
Third-degree DWI can apply when an aggravating factor is alleged.
Court records allege two other minors were passengers in the Tahoe.
One passenger was more than 36 months younger than Rude.
The younger passenger is listed as the aggravating factor in the criminal complaint.
Both passengers were taken to the law enforcement center.
They were later released to their parents, according to the filing.
The complaint also says officers found a pipe with burnt residue and a nicotine vape.
No separate drug charge appears in the provided complaint.
Rude was processed and later released to his stepfather.
Gross Misdemeanor Charge
The charge is a gross misdemeanor.
The listed maximum penalty is one year in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
A criminal charge is an allegation and does not prove guilt.
Rude is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Public case information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
