Mahnomen County: Bagley Woman Charged After .20 DWI Test

MAHNOMEN COUNTY, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – A 42-year-old Bagley woman faces a gross misdemeanor DWI charge following a traffic stop on Highway 200.

Nicole Lee Jesness is accused of driving while impaired on August 25, 2026.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Mahnomen County District Court, Jesness nearly struck a guardrail before police stopped her.

An evidentiary breath test later showed an alcohol concentration of .20.

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

Officer Reports Dangerous Driving on Highway 200

The incident began around 9 p.m. as an officer traveled eastbound on Highway 200.

According to court documents, the officer noticed a vehicle ahead suddenly swerving toward the road’s fog line.

The vehicle continued eastbound toward a guardrail before crossing the fog line again.

The officer reported that the vehicle nearly collided with the guardrail.

Police activated emergency lights, and the driver pulled over.

Driver Admits Phone Use and Drinking

During the traffic stop, the officer identified the driver as Nicole Lee Jesness of Bagley.

The officer reportedly noticed glossy eyes, slurred speech, and difficulty speaking clearly.

When questioned about her driving, Jesness acknowledged using her phone.

According to the complaint, Jesness also admitted drinking alcohol before driving.

She reportedly said she was coming from Pinehurst.

The complaint states Jesness mentioned three drinks but also described consuming two glasses of wine and two beers.

Police continued the investigation after observing possible signs of impairment.

Field Sobriety Tests Raise Concerns

The officer asked Jesness to perform several field sobriety tests.

According to the complaint, the tests revealed multiple signs of possible impairment.

During the eye movement test, the officer observed indicators associated with alcohol impairment.

Jesness reportedly struggled during the walk-and-turn test.

She allegedly began too early, missed heel-to-toe steps, made an improper turn, and took the wrong number of steps.

During the one-leg stand test, Jesness reportedly put her foot down and hopped.

The complaint states she refused to provide a preliminary breath test at the roadside.

Breath Test Shows .20 Alcohol Concentration

Following the field sobriety tests, police arrested Jesness on suspicion of impaired driving.

She was transported to the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office for further testing.

There, police read Jesness the required breath test advisory.

According to court documents, she provided an evidentiary breath sample at approximately 10:04 p.m.

The test returned an alcohol concentration of .20.

Minnesota law considers an alcohol concentration of .16 or higher an aggravating factor in DWI cases.

The reported .20 reading exceeded that threshold.

Gross Misdemeanor DWI Charge Filed

Prosecutors charged Jesness with operating a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.

The criminal complaint cites Minnesota Statute 169A.20, subdivision 1(5), and the penalty provision under 169A.26.

The offense is classified as a gross misdemeanor because of the alleged aggravating factor.

A conviction could carry up to 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

Those penalties represent the maximum punishment allowed under the cited statute, not a sentence imposed in this case.

More information about the offense is available through Minnesota’s second-degree DWI law.

Mahnomen County Court Proceedings

The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 44-CR-26-530.

The prosecutor’s file number is 0440029900.

The supplied complaint does not identify a trial date or final case outcome.

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

The DWI allegation has not been proven in court.

Jesness is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.