Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji woman is facing a gross misdemeanor DWI charge after a vehicle crash in a ditch in Beltrami County, according to a criminal complaint.
Court records identify the defendant as Shana Faye Torgerson, 40, of Bemidji. The charge is third-degree DWI. The complaint says her alcohol concentration was measured above 0.08 within two hours of driving.
Charge Filed In Beltrami County
The complaint says the incident happened on April 5, 2026. It was reported near Roosevelt Road and Tyler Avenue in Beltrami County.
According to the court filing, law enforcement responded to a report of a vehicle in the ditch. When authorities arrived, they found Torgerson walking a short distance from the crashed Jeep Compass. The complaint says the vehicle was registered to her.
The filing states that Torgerson did not follow repeated commands to stop. Officers then secured her and placed her in a squad vehicle.
According to the complaint, officers noticed signs of impairment. Those signs included an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, watery eyes, and trouble walking.
Witness Statement And Jail Test
The complaint also says a witness, Bobby Lykins, reported seeing Torgerson in the driver’s seat of the crashed vehicle.
Authorities later took Torgerson to the Beltrami County Jail. The complaint says she was advised of her rights and given time to contact an attorney.
After that, the filing says she took a breath test. The result was listed as 0.28 BAC.
The complaint says she was later taken to a hospital and then discharged.
What Happens Next
Torgerson is charged under Minnesota Statute 169A.20. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
The court record also states there is no prior criminal history. The complaint lists one aggravating factor, though that filing excerpt does not explain it in detail.
Criminal charges are allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Readers can find more public court information through the Minnesota Judicial Branch and local updates through Beltrami County.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
