Bemidji Man Charged After 100 MPH DWI Chase

Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man faces four charges following an alleged high-speed pursuit on August 10.

Tyler James Lassman is charged with felony DWI and felony fleeing a peace officer.

He also faces misdemeanor charges for fleeing on foot and driving after revocation.

The case was filed in Beltrami County District Court.

Traffic Stop Leads to Pursuit

According to the complaint, law enforcement saw a Chevrolet Cavalier traveling 72 mph in a 55 mph zone.

The vehicle was stopped on Power Dam Road near Frohn Road around 8:31 p.m.

The complaint says Lassman showed several possible signs of alcohol impairment.

Those signs allegedly included slurred speech, watery eyes, and difficulty following the conversation.

An odor of alcohol was also reported during the traffic stop.

Investigators say Lassman told the deputy he did not have his driver’s license with him.

The deputy returned to a patrol vehicle to check Lassman’s information.

Prosecutors allege Lassman then drove away from the traffic stop.

A pursuit followed, with Lassman’s vehicle allegedly reaching about 100 mph.

Law enforcement deployed stop sticks near the Mississippi River bridge on Scenic Highway.

The complaint says Lassman’s vehicle struck the stop sticks.

Prosecutors allege he then left the vehicle and ran into a swampy area.

Deputies and a K9 unit eventually located Lassman and arrested him.

He was transported to the Beltrami County Jail.

At the jail, Lassman requested an opportunity to speak with an attorney.

The complaint says he later agreed to provide a breath sample.

Authorities reported two valid samples produced a final alcohol concentration result of .10.

Minnesota’s general driving limit is .08 under state DWI law.

Prosecutors charged Lassman with felony DWI based on alleged aggravating factors.

The complaint also states that his Minnesota driving privileges were revoked.

The felony DWI count carries a maximum sentence of seven years.

It also carries a possible $14,000 fine.

The felony vehicle-fleeing charge carries up to three years and one day.

Readers can review Minnesota’s fleeing law through the Minnesota Revisor.

Public case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The case is filed under court file number 04-CR-26-1879.

The charges are allegations and do not establish guilt.

Lassman is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.