Bemidji Woman Charged After Crash, .22 DWI Test

BEMIDJI, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – A 53-year-old Bemidji woman faces a gross misdemeanor DWI charge following a reported driveway crash.

Roni Lynn Sperle is accused of driving while impaired on September 25, 2026, in Beltrami County.

According to a criminal complaint, Sperle struck a driveway marker before entering a residence on Cranberry Court Northeast.

A later breath test at the Beltrami County Jail reportedly showed an alcohol concentration of .22.

That reading was approximately 2.75 times Minnesota’s standard legal limit of .08.

Deputies Respond to Report of Drunk Driver

Beltrami County deputies responded to a possible impaired driving report around 7:45 p.m. on September 25.

The complaint states that a witness described Sperle’s actions earlier that afternoon and evening.

According to the witness, Sperle arrived at the residence around 3:20 p.m. and appeared to be acting unusually.

At approximately 5 p.m., Sperle reportedly left the property in a vehicle.

The witness told deputies Sperle nearly struck several objects while backing out.

After Sperle left, the witness reportedly found an empty alcoholic beverage container in the garbage.

Vehicle Allegedly Strikes Driveway Marker

The witness reported that Sperle returned to the residence around 7 p.m.

According to the complaint, Sperle struck a blue address marker at the end of the driveway.

The witness then approached Sperle to speak with her about the incident.

During their conversation, Sperle allegedly shifted the vehicle into reverse.

The witness was partially inside the vehicle at the time, according to court documents.

The witness reportedly managed to place the vehicle in park.

A large bottle of Karkov vodka was also observed inside the vehicle.

Deputies later confirmed that the blue driveway marker was bent in a manner consistent with being struck.

Deputies Report Signs of Alcohol Impairment

Investigators approached the residence and knocked several times before Sperle answered the door.

According to the complaint, deputies noticed she appeared sluggish and had slurred speech.

Sperle also reportedly struggled to open the door.

Officers asked her to provide a preliminary breath test.

The test returned an alcohol concentration of .226.

Despite the result, Sperle initially denied consuming alcoholic beverages.

She invited deputies into the residence to continue speaking.

While walking toward the living room, deputies reportedly noticed she had difficulty maintaining her balance.

Conflicting Statements About Drinking

During questioning, Sperle reportedly provided different explanations about where she consumed alcohol.

According to the complaint, she initially stated she had been drinking at home.

Later, she reportedly claimed she had consumed alcohol at Jake’s Pizza.

She also said she had not consumed alcohol after returning home.

However, when asked how many drinks she had consumed, Sperle reportedly answered that she had none.

Investigators contacted the owner of Jake’s Pizza, who reportedly said Sperle had not been there.

Police also contacted a worker at Liquor Lodge.

According to the complaint, the worker remembered selling Karkov vodka to someone matching Sperle’s description.

Jail Breath Test Shows .22 Alcohol Concentration

Based on the preliminary breath test and reported observations, deputies arrested Sperle.

She was transported to the Beltrami County Jail for additional testing.

At the jail, deputies read her Minnesota’s breath test advisory.

Sperle was given an opportunity to contact an attorney.

According to court documents, she repeatedly attempted to call a cousin and also contacted a friend.

After approximately 20 minutes, the consultation period ended without contact with an attorney.

Deputies then requested an evidentiary breath sample.

The complaint states Sperle eventually agreed to provide the samples.

The breath testing instrument returned an alcohol concentration of .22.

Gross Misdemeanor DWI Charge Filed

Prosecutors charged Sperle with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

The criminal complaint alleges two aggravating factors were present during the incident.

However, the provided complaint excerpt does not identify both aggravating factors.

The charge is listed as a gross misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 169A.20, subdivision 1(1).

The complaint references Minnesota Statute 169A.25, which addresses first-degree DWI offenses.

Despite that reference, the filed charge lists a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

Those are the penalties stated in the complaint, not a sentence imposed against Sperle.

Readers can review Minnesota’s DWI law and Minnesota Statute 169A.25.

Beltrami County Court Proceedings

The criminal case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 04-CR-26-2382.

The prosecutor’s file number is 0040093599.

The supplied complaint does not establish a final court outcome or sentencing information.

Additional case information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The DWI charge remains an allegation. Sperle is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.