Bemidji Man Charged After Alleged DWI Test Refusal

Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man faces two charges following an August 6 disturbance involving a running truck.

Zachary Adam Matthews is charged with gross misdemeanor DWI test refusal and misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

The case was filed in Beltrami County District Court.

The criminal complaint says police responded around 7:19 p.m. after receiving a report about a man yelling.

Man Found Standing on Running Truck

Officers arrived and heard two men yelling at each other, according to the complaint.

They found Matthews standing on top of a truck in a backyard.

The truck was running, and its driver’s door was open, court records state.

Matthews allegedly said a former employer owed him money.

Investigators reported that Matthews had slurred speech and bloodshot, watery eyes.

They also reported smelling a strong odor of alcohol after Matthews climbed down.

Matthews denied drinking and said the truck had been parked there since that morning.

Stone told police that Matthews had arrived about 10 minutes earlier.

Another witness, Johnson, also told investigators that Matthews had been driving the truck.

A passenger told police they came to the residence seeking money they believed was owed.

The complaint says Matthews declined field sobriety testing and a preliminary breath test.

He repeatedly told officers, “I plead the fifth,” according to court records.

Matthews was arrested and taken to the Beltrami County Jail.

At the jail, Matthews asked to speak with an attorney.

The complaint says authorities provided phone directories, his cellphone, and access to a landline.

Investigators allege Matthews never attempted to contact an attorney.

He was then asked several times whether he would provide a breath sample.

The complaint says Matthews did not provide an answer and was warned silence would count as refusal.

Prosecutors later charged him with refusing a chemical test.

The test-refusal charge carries up to 364 days in jail and a possible $3,000 fine.

The disorderly conduct charge carries up to 90 days and a possible $1,000 fine.

Minnesota’s chemical test-refusal law is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.

Public case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The case is filed under court file number 04-CR-26-1832.

The charges and supporting claims are allegations and do not establish guilt.

Matthews is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.