Kennedy: Driver Found Asleep Faces DWI Refusal Charge

KENNEDY, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — A Missouri man faces three criminal charges after a deputy found him asleep in a running vehicle.

Cole Daniel Felden, 43, of Independence, Missouri, is charged with DWI test refusal, impaired driving, and open-bottle possession.

The incident occurred September 26, 2026, near the Kennedy Fire Department in Kittson County.

According to the criminal complaint, the vehicle was parked off Highway 75 with its engine running and headlights on.

Deputy Finds Driver Sleeping Near Fire Hall

A Kittson County deputy was traveling north on Highway 75 around 12:49 a.m.

The deputy noticed a vehicle facing south near the northbound lane.

As the deputy approached, he discovered the vehicle was parked on the grass outside the Kennedy fire hall.

According to the complaint, Felden appeared to be sleeping behind the steering wheel.

The vehicle’s engine was running, and its lights were illuminated.

The deputy activated emergency lights and approached the driver’s window.

He noticed two Busch Light beer cans in the vehicle’s cupholders.

The deputy knocked on the window and used a flashing light to wake Felden.

Open Beer and Signs of Impairment Reported

According to court documents, Felden appeared surprised when awakened.

During their conversation, the deputy noticed slurred speech and difficulty understanding Felden’s responses.

The deputy also reported smelling alcohol and observing reddish eyes.

Felden was asked to provide identification and hand over an open beer container.

According to the complaint, the container was approximately one-quarter full.

The deputy then asked Felden to exit the vehicle for field sobriety testing.

Driver Allegedly Struggles With Sobriety Tests

Investigators reported several signs of possible impairment during roadside testing.

The first test involved following an object with his eyes.

The deputy recorded four of six possible indicators during that examination.

During the one-leg stand test, Felden reportedly swayed and used his arms for balance.

He also placed his foot down three times and stopped before completing the test.

The walk-and-turn test reportedly produced eight of eight possible indicators.

According to the complaint, Felden struggled with balance, step counts, and following instructions.

Kennedy: Driver Found Asleep Faces DWI Refusal Charge

Breath Test Refused at Kittson County Jail

After roadside testing, the deputy requested a preliminary breath sample.

Felden declined to provide the sample, according to the complaint.

He was arrested on suspicion of DWI and transported to the Kittson County Jail.

At approximately 1:26 a.m., the deputy read Felden the required breath test advisory.

Felden indicated he understood the advisory and declined to speak with an attorney.

He then refused the requested breath test, reportedly saying he had no breath to give.

The testing process ended at approximately 1:31 a.m.

The complaint does not include a measured alcohol concentration.

Three Criminal Charges Filed

Prosecutors filed three charges in Kittson County District Court.

Count 1: Third-Degree DWI Test Refusal. This gross misdemeanor carries up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.

Count 2: Fourth-Degree DWI. Prosecutors allege Felden was in control of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol.

Count 3: Open-Bottle Violation. Prosecutors allege Felden possessed an opened alcoholic beverage container inside his vehicle.

Each misdemeanor carries up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Minnesota’s DWI law addresses impaired driving and unlawful chemical test refusal.

The state’s open-bottle law establishes restrictions on opened alcoholic beverages inside vehicles.

Kittson County Court Proceedings

The case is filed under number 35-CR-26-128 in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

The charging document was issued as a summons.

No conviction, sentence, or final case outcome is established by the supplied complaint.

Readers can search public filings through Minnesota Court Records Online.

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

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.

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