Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) A Bemidji man now faces a gross misdemeanor DWI charge after a traffic stop early March 26, according to a criminal complaint filed in Beltrami County District Court.
Court records identify the defendant as Joseph Garry Lepak, born Nov. 5, 1988. The complaint says the charge stems from an incident in Bemidji at about 4:01 a.m.
Traffic Stop in Bemidji
According to the complaint, police saw a vehicle drive over a curb while turning onto 15th Street. The court filing says the vehicle then continued west at a high speed.
Police stopped the driver near 15th Street and Conifer Avenue, the complaint says. Officers then identified the driver as Lepak.
The complaint says Lepak had a bleeding hand when officers approached. An ambulance was called to the scene.
Police also reported slurred speech, a tired appearance, and strong emotions. The complaint says Lepak admitted he should not have been driving.
What the Complaint Says
According to the filing, Lepak told officers he had left an apartment on Conifer Avenue after a personal dispute. The complaint says he could not clearly explain how his hand was cut.
He later said a knife attached to his keys may have caused the injury, according to the complaint. Police reported that no other person was hurt.
A preliminary breath test showed a result of .17, the complaint says. That is more than double the legal limit named under Minnesota Statute 169A.20.
The complaint says Lepak was taken to the hospital after the stop. Court records say a warrant was obtained for a blood or urine sample.
The filing states Lepak agreed to provide a urine sample. That sample was sent to the state lab for testing.
Case Status
Lepak is charged with operating a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of .08 or more within two hours. The complaint lists the offense as a gross misdemeanor.
The case was filed in the Ninth Judicial District in Beltrami County. Additional case updates may be posted through the Bemidji Police Department or the Minnesota court system.
A criminal charge is only an accusation. Lepak is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
