BEMIDJI, MN – (trfnews.i234.me) – A Bemidji woman faces a gross misdemeanor DWI test refusal charge following an early-morning traffic stop.
Kristen Chelaine Cox, 51, of Bemidji, is accused of refusing an evidentiary breath test after allegedly running three stop signs.
The incident occurred October 18, 2026, at approximately 2:22 a.m. in Bemidji.
According to a Beltrami County criminal complaint, a preliminary breath test showed an alcohol concentration of 0.22.
Deputy Observes Three Stop Sign Violations
A Beltrami County sheriff’s deputy was patrolling near Third Street Northwest and Irvine Avenue Northwest.
The deputy noticed a dark-colored sedan traveling westbound on Third Street.
According to the complaint, the vehicle failed to stop at an intersection before turning northbound onto Beltrami Avenue.
The deputy followed the vehicle and reportedly observed another stop sign violation at Fourth Street.
Investigators alleged the sedan then failed to stop again at Fourth Street and Bemidji Avenue.
Following the third alleged violation, the deputy activated emergency lights and stopped the vehicle.
Driver Admits Drinking Alcohol
The deputy identified the driver as Kristen Chelaine Cox.
During their conversation, the deputy reportedly noticed Cox had slurred speech and was speaking slowly.
When questioned about alcohol consumption, Cox allegedly admitted having a couple of alcoholic drinks before driving.
The deputy requested that Cox complete field sobriety testing.
According to the complaint, Cox did not satisfactorily complete those tests.
Preliminary Breath Test Shows .22
Investigators reported that Cox provided a preliminary breath test showing an alcohol concentration of 0.22.
That reading was more than twice Minnesota’s standard legal driving limit of 0.08.
The preliminary result was obtained during the roadside investigation.
Cox was subsequently arrested and transported to the Beltrami County Jail.
Jail Breath Test Deemed a Refusal
At the jail, deputies read Cox Minnesota’s breath test advisory.
The advisory explained that refusing a legally required breath test is a criminal offense.
According to the complaint, Cox initially attempted to follow instructions while using the evidentiary breath-testing machine.
However, investigators alleged she did not consistently provide adequate breath samples.
Deputies reportedly repeated the instructions, but the machine did not receive enough air to complete the test.
The testing equipment eventually timed out without producing a sufficient sample.
Investigators classified the unsuccessful test as a refusal.
The complaint does not report a completed evidentiary breath-test result.
Gross Misdemeanor Charge Filed
Prosecutors charged Cox with DWI test refusal under Minnesota Statute 169A.20, subdivision 2(1).
The complaint also references Minnesota’s second-degree DWI penalty provision.
The charge is classified as a gross misdemeanor.
If convicted, Cox faces a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
The complaint also lists a previous fourth-degree DWI conviction from August 2016.
That conviction is separate from the current charge.
Case Filed in Beltrami County Court
The criminal case was filed in Beltrami County District Court under number 04-CR-26-2590.
The complaint includes an order of detention.
The supplied court records do not establish the current outcome of the case.
Additional information about Minnesota’s DWI laws is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
Public court records can be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.
Cox is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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