BELTRAMI COUNTY, MN (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji woman is facing multiple gross misdemeanor charges following a July 9 hit-and-run crash that reportedly left another person injured and involved two children in her vehicle.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Beltrami County District Court, Hannah Mae Victoria Kitto Phelps, 38, of Bemidji, was driving a white vehicle that allegedly ran a stop sign at Winter Sumac Road and pulled in front of another vehicle on Highway 71, causing a significant collision.
Trooper Bailey Anderson of the Minnesota State Patrol arrived at the scene and observed one of the victims, J.G., complaining of arm pain. The striking vehicle was found abandoned nearby, with bottles of vodka and an open growler inside. Phelps was later located and admitted to being the driver.
Phelps provided a preliminary breath test showing a blood alcohol concentration of .206—more than twice the legal limit. She also admitted her twin children were inside the vehicle during the crash but were not hurt. Authorities obtained a search warrant for a blood sample to confirm the results.
She is now charged with the following:
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Count I: Criminal Vehicular Operation – Bodily Harm while under the influence of alcohol
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Count II: Criminal Vehicular Operation – Bodily Harm with a BAC of 0.08 or higher
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Count III: Criminal Vehicular Operation – Leaving the Scene of a Collision
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Count IV: Third-Degree DWI – BAC over 0.08 with a child in the vehicle
All charges are gross misdemeanors, each carrying a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.
Phelps has previous DWI convictions dating back to 2009.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.