Bemidji Woman Charged With DWI After .20 Breath Test

BEMIDJI, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – A 20-year-old Bemidji woman faces two charges following an early morning traffic stop.

Miyah Jean Kingbird is charged with gross misdemeanor DWI and misdemeanor failure to provide proof of vehicle insurance.

According to a Beltrami County criminal complaint, Kingbird’s breath test showed an alcohol concentration of .20.

The reading was two and a half times Minnesota’s standard legal driving limit of .08.

The incident occurred September 27, 2026, in northwest Bemidji.

Police Observe SUV Swerving on Bemidji Street

At approximately 2:44 a.m., Bemidji police were patrolling near 30th Street Northwest and Pine Ridge Avenue Northwest.

Officers noticed a black SUV entering 30th Street from the Gatewood Apartments area.

According to the complaint, the SUV began making sharp movements within its lane.

The vehicle reportedly crossed lane markings several times while rocking from side to side.

Police then observed the SUV traveling eastbound at a high speed.

Officers activated their emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop.

The SUV was reportedly slow to pull over.

Driver Reportedly Had No License or Insurance

Officers identified the driver as Miyah Jean Kingbird.

Kingbird reportedly told police she was driving friends home after spending time together.

During the stop, officers noticed several passengers in the back seat were not wearing seat belts.

According to court documents, Kingbird admitted she did not have a driver’s license.

She also reportedly told officers she did not have vehicle insurance.

An officer began preparing a citation before another officer heard yelling from inside the SUV.

The officer approached the vehicle to determine whether the occupants were safe.

During that contact, the officer noticed Kingbird had bloodshot and watery eyes.

Field Sobriety Tests Raise Impairment Concerns

The officer asked Kingbird to exit the SUV and participate in field sobriety testing.

According to the complaint, Kingbird was unable to satisfactorily complete the horizontal gaze nystagmus test.

A preliminary breath test showed an alcohol concentration of .213.

Police also attempted additional sobriety tests involving walking and standing on one leg.

However, the officer stopped those tests because Kingbird reportedly had difficulty maintaining her balance.

The complaint states the officer ended testing over safety concerns.

Kingbird was then arrested and transported to the Beltrami County Jail.

Jail Breath Test Shows .20 Alcohol Level

At the jail, police read Kingbird Minnesota’s breath test advisory.

She initially chose to consult an attorney before deciding whether to submit to testing.

According to court documents, Kingbird ended the consultation period after struggling to decide whom to call.

Police then administered an evidentiary breath test at approximately 3:43 a.m.

The test returned an alcohol concentration of .20.

Under Minnesota law, an alcohol concentration of .16 or higher is an aggravating factor in DWI cases.

Kingbird’s reported result exceeded that threshold.

Two Criminal Charges Filed

Prosecutors filed two counts against Kingbird in Beltrami County District Court.

Count 1: Gross misdemeanor DWI involving an alcohol concentration of .08 or higher with an aggravating factor.

The DWI charge carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

Count 2: Misdemeanor failure to provide proof of valid vehicle insurance while operating a motor vehicle.

That offense carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.

These are maximum statutory penalties, not sentences imposed by the court.

The complaint also lists a separate pending traffic case involving license, insurance, and failure-to-yield allegations.

Those allegations remain separate from the current DWI prosecution.

Beltrami County Court Proceedings

Kingbird’s criminal case is filed under court file number 04-CR-26-2377.

The prosecutor’s file number is BCI-0011265.

The case falls under Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

Readers can review Minnesota’s second-degree DWI law and Minnesota’s vehicle insurance requirements.

Additional court information may be found through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The allegations have not been proven in court. Kingbird is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.