Plummer Woman Charged in DWI Test Refusal

POLK COUNTY (trfnews.i234.me) — A Plummer woman faces two gross misdemeanor charges after a June 10 traffic stop.

Janella Rose Rude, 45, is charged in Polk County District Court. The court file number is 60-CR-26-811.

The charges include second-degree driving while impaired for alleged chemical test refusal. She also faces an ignition interlock violation.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail. Each also carries a possible $3,000 fine.

Traffic Stop on County Road 21

The complaint says a state trooper was parked near U.S. Highway 75. The trooper clocked a Chevrolet Impala at 72 mph.

The posted speed limit was 60 mph. The vehicle slowed after passing the patrol car, according to the complaint.

The trooper stopped the Impala on County Road 21. Rude was identified as the driver and sole occupant.

The complaint says Rude appeared shaky and had bloodshot eyes. She reportedly said she had visited a hospital earlier that day.

She said hospital staff gave her steroids, Ativan, and Flexeril. The complaint does not state why those drugs were given.

The trooper reported signs of impairment during several roadside tests. A preliminary breath test showed a 0.00 result.

Rude was then arrested on suspicion of impaired driving. A search found a small pill container with white residue.

Prosecutors say her license required a certified ignition interlock device. The complaint says no device was found inside the Impala.

A judge later approved a warrant for a blood or urine sample. Rude agreed to provide urine but declined blood.

A jail employee reported that Rude tried placing the sample cup into toilet water. No urine sample was collected.

Prosecutors allege that her actions amounted to a chemical test refusal. The complaint also cites two earlier Minnesota DWI convictions.

The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court. Rude is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Readers can review Minnesota Statute 169A.25 for information about second-degree DWI.

Information about restricted licenses is available under Minnesota Statute 171.09.

Public case information may also be available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News.