Bemidji Man Charged After DWI Test Refusal
Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) – A Bemidji man is facing a gross misdemeanor DWI charge after authorities say he refused a chemical breath test following a reported impaired driving incident.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Beltrami County District Court, Brenden James Lawrence is charged with second-degree DWI test refusal. The case is filed in Minnesota’s 9th Judicial District under court file number 04-CR-26-1111.
The charge stems from an incident reported on May 14, 2026, in Beltrami County. The complaint states that dispatch received a report of a possible impaired driver leaving the Northdale Oil Gas Station on Irvine Avenue.
Report Involved Children In Vehicle
Authorities said the driver was in a Chevy Silverado with two children in the back seat. The complaint says a gas station clerk had tried to take the driver’s keys before the vehicle left the area.
Deputies were later told that a driver had crashed into mailboxes near Pond Road. Because the area was nearby, deputies went to investigate.
When deputies arrived near Pond Lake Road and Bakkum Road, they found a Chevy Silverado stopped in a driveway. The headlights were on, according to the complaint.
Deputies found a man slumped over inside the vehicle. Two children were also in the back seat. Authorities said the vehicle was turned off, placed in park, and the keys were removed.
Court Records Detail Alleged Signs Of Impairment
The driver was later identified as Brenden James Lawrence. The complaint says deputies noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from him.
Authorities also reported that Lawrence struggled to keep his balance. He allegedly leaned on the vehicle and needed help getting to the front of a squad car.
The complaint also notes that Lawrence had watery eyes. Deputies asked him several times to take field sobriety tests.
According to the complaint, Lawrence repeated his name and said his identification was in the vehicle. Deputies then placed him under arrest.
Breath Test Refusal Alleged
Lawrence was taken to the Beltrami County Jail. Court records say he was read the breath test advisory.
He was also given time to speak with an attorney. The complaint says he later declined to do so.
Authorities allege Lawrence then refused to take the breath test. Under Minnesota law, refusing a chemical test can lead to criminal charges. More information is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
The complaint lists the charge as a gross misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 169A.20.2(1), with reference to Minnesota Statute 169A.25.
If convicted, Lawrence could face up to 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both. The complaint also lists a prior misdemeanor DWI conviction from 2015.
A criminal complaint is not a conviction. Lawrence is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.