BEMIDJI, MN – (trfnews.i234.me) – A Bemidji woman faces a gross misdemeanor DWI charge following an early-morning traffic stop on Paul Bunyan Drive.
Kristina Marie Johnson, 30, of Bemidji, is accused of driving with an alcohol concentration above Minnesota’s legal limit.
The incident occurred October 4, 2026, at approximately 2:44 a.m.
According to a Beltrami County criminal complaint, an evidentiary breath test later showed an alcohol concentration of 0.09.
Pickup Truck Stopped on Paul Bunyan Drive
A Bemidji police officer was patrolling Paul Bunyan Drive during the early morning hours.
The officer noticed a Dodge pickup traveling southbound with its cargo lamp illuminated.
According to the complaint, the lamp projected a white light toward the rear of the vehicle.
Based on that observation, the officer activated emergency lights and initiated a traffic stop.
The driver was identified as Kristina Marie Johnson.
Officer Reports Signs of Alcohol Use
During the traffic stop, the officer reportedly noticed that Johnson’s speech was slurred.
The officer also detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the pickup.
When questioned, Johnson allegedly admitted consuming alcohol before the traffic stop.
The officer requested that Johnson participate in field sobriety testing.
According to the complaint, Johnson was unable to satisfactorily complete the tests.
Preliminary Breath Test Shows .102
Following the field sobriety tests, Johnson provided a preliminary breath test.
Investigators reported that the test showed an alcohol concentration of 0.102.
That result exceeded Minnesota’s standard legal driving limit of 0.08.
Based on the investigation, Johnson was arrested and transported to the Beltrami County Jail.
Second Breath Test Records .09
At the jail, the officer read Johnson Minnesota’s breath test advisory.
Johnson agreed to provide an evidentiary breath sample, according to court documents.
The completed test reportedly showed an alcohol concentration of 0.09.
Although lower than the preliminary result, the reading remained above the state’s legal driving limit.
The complaint identifies both test results as evidence supporting the DWI allegation.
Gross Misdemeanor DWI Charge Filed
Prosecutors charged Johnson under Minnesota Statute 169A.20, subdivision 1(5).
The charge alleges driving with an alcohol concentration of at least 0.08 within two hours of operating a vehicle.
The complaint also references an aggravating factor under Minnesota’s third-degree DWI law.
Johnson’s driving record lists a previous fourth-degree DWI case from 2023.
The supplied complaint does not specify the disposition of that earlier DWI case.
The current charge is classified as a gross misdemeanor.
If convicted, Johnson could face up to 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
Case Filed in Beltrami County Court
The criminal case was filed in Beltrami County District Court under number 04-CR-26-2454.
The complaint includes an order of detention.
The supplied documents do not establish the current outcome of the case.
Additional information about Minnesota DWI laws is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
Public case information may be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.
Johnson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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