THIEF RIVER FALLS, MN – (trfnews.i234.me) – A Badger man faces a gross misdemeanor DWI charge following a traffic stop in Thief River Falls.
Dennys Giovanni Rivera Carbonell, 52, of Badger, is charged with third-degree driving while impaired.
According to a Pennington County criminal complaint, Rivera Carbonell allegedly admitted drinking three beers before driving.
A breath test later showed an alcohol concentration of 0.13, above Minnesota’s legal driving limit of 0.08.
Trooper Spots Vehicle With One Headlight
According to court documents, a Minnesota State Patrol trooper was traveling northbound into Thief River Falls on October 23, 2026.
The trooper noticed a southbound vehicle traveling on a frontage road with only one working headlight.
The vehicle reportedly turned onto Wendt Drive before continuing ahead of the patrol vehicle.
As the trooper followed, the vehicle allegedly crossed the fog line and continued weaving.
The driver then turned east onto Greenwood Street, where the vehicle reportedly touched the double yellow center line.
While navigating a roundabout, the vehicle allegedly came close to striking a curb.
Based on these observations, the trooper activated emergency lights and attempted a traffic stop.
The vehicle reportedly responded slowly before stopping near Greenwood Street East and Kendall Avenue South.
Driver Allegedly Admits Drinking at Black Cat
The trooper identified the driver as Dennys Giovanni Rivera Carbonell.
During their interaction, the trooper reported several possible signs of alcohol impairment.
These reportedly included bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor of alcohol.
According to the complaint, Rivera Carbonell admitted being at the Black Cat and consuming three beers.
The trooper then requested field sobriety testing.
Field Sobriety Tests Raise Concerns
During an eye movement test, the trooper reportedly observed signs commonly associated with alcohol impairment.
Rivera Carbonell also allegedly struggled during the walk-and-turn test.
The complaint states he repeatedly failed to walk heel-to-toe and stepped off the designated line.
He also reportedly used his arms for balance, took an incorrect number of steps, and made an improper turn.
The trooper requested a preliminary breath test, which reportedly showed an alcohol concentration of 0.129.
Rivera Carbonell was then arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired.
Official Breath Test Shows .13
Following his arrest, Rivera Carbonell was transported to the law enforcement center.
The trooper read Minnesota’s implied consent advisory and offered him an opportunity to consult an attorney.
According to the complaint, Rivera Carbonell declined to speak with an attorney and agreed to chemical testing.
The DataMaster breath test reportedly registered an alcohol concentration of 0.13.
That reading exceeded Minnesota’s 0.08 legal driving limit.
Prior Impaired Driving Incident Cited
The complaint also references a prior implied consent incident from May 2022.
Prosecutors cite that incident as an aggravating factor supporting the third-degree DWI charge.
The complaint does not provide further details about the prior incident’s outcome.
Gross Misdemeanor Charge Filed
Rivera Carbonell faces one count of third-degree driving while impaired under Minnesota Statute 169A.26.
The offense is classified as a gross misdemeanor.
Under current Minnesota law, a gross misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
The case is filed in Pennington County District Court under court file number 57-CR-26-747.
Additional information can be found through Minnesota Court Records Online.
All allegations are based on the criminal complaint. Rivera Carbonell is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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