BEMIDJI, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — Cruz Anders Nelson, 29, faces a second-degree DWI charge following an early morning encounter with Bemidji police.
According to a Beltrami County criminal complaint, Nelson’s breath test showed an alcohol concentration of 0.19.
The reading was more than twice Minnesota’s legal driving limit of 0.08.
The incident occurred October 18, 2026, around 2:13 a.m., near Division Street and Highway 2.
Police Notice Pickup Traveling at High Speed
According to the complaint, a Bemidji police officer was parked at the Northdale Oil station on Division Street.
The officer noticed a white pickup truck exit Highway 2 and accelerate westbound at a high rate of speed.
The officer followed the pickup as it traveled through the roundabout near Bemidji High School.
The truck then pulled over without being directed to stop, according to the complaint.
Police identified the driver as Cruz Anders Nelson.
Nelson reportedly explained that he had pulled over because he spilled soup on himself.
While speaking with police, Nelson allegedly struggled with items inside the pickup and accidentally turned up the radio.
Driver Reportedly Admits Drinking at Casino
The officer reported noticing Nelson’s watery eyes and slurred speech during their initial conversation.
The officer then parked behind the pickup and approached Nelson’s driver’s window.
According to the complaint, Nelson had bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, and slow reactions to light.
Nelson reportedly admitted he had just left a casino.
He also told police he drank a couple of German Blonde beers while at the casino.
Based on those observations, police asked Nelson to perform field sobriety tests.
The complaint alleges he did not complete the tests satisfactorily.
Breath Tests Reportedly Show Alcohol Level of 0.19
Police administered a preliminary breath test that reportedly showed an alcohol concentration of 0.194.
Nelson was arrested and transported to the Beltrami County Jail.
At the jail, police read Nelson the Minnesota Breath Test Advisory.
He agreed to provide a breath sample, according to the complaint.
That test reportedly returned an alcohol concentration of 0.19.
Second-Degree DWI Charge Filed in Beltrami County
Nelson faces one gross misdemeanor count under Minnesota Statute 169A.20.
The charge also references Minnesota Statute 169A.25, which addresses second-degree driving while impaired.
Second-degree DWI applies when an impaired-driving offense involves two or more qualifying aggravating factors.
Under Minnesota law, an alcohol concentration of 0.16 or higher is one aggravating factor.
A qualifying previous impaired-driving incident within 10 years can provide another factor.
The complaint cites a 2018 misdemeanor fourth-degree DWI case, numbered 57-CR-18-75.
However, the supplied complaint does not specify the disposition of that earlier case.
The current charge carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
Beltrami County Court Case Details
The case was filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 04-CR-26-2591.
The complaint includes an order of detention but does not provide a future hearing date.
Readers can search Minnesota Court Records Online for available case information and court updates.
Additional information is available through the Beltrami County District Court.
The allegations have not been established as a criminal conviction in the supplied document.
Nelson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
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