Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) – A Bemidji man is facing a gross misdemeanor charge after authorities say he refused a chemical test during a drunk driving investigation.
According to court documents, on July 22, 2025, around 5:47 p.m., police were called for a welfare check after a report that Jerry Lynn Watkins Jr., 51, had been drinking all day and left in a white Chevrolet Traverse.
Officers located the vehicle on Lake Avenue and observed it swerving within its lane, into the shoulder, and briefly into oncoming traffic near Mill Street. Pedestrians were present along the roadside at the time.
A traffic stop was conducted near 5th Street Northeast and Lake Avenue. Officers reported Watkins smelled strongly of alcohol, had watery eyes, and slurred speech. He allegedly admitted, “I know I’m [expletive] up; I’ve been drinking all day.”
Watkins declined field sobriety testing and was transported to the Beltrami County Jail, where he was read the breath test advisory. After consulting with his wife instead of an attorney, he refused to provide a breath sample, stating there was “no proof of a DWI.”
Watkins is charged with DWI – refusal to submit to a chemical test, a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.