Bemidji Woman Faces DWI Charge After 0.16 Breath Test

BEMIDJI, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji woman faces a gross-misdemeanor DWI charge following a traffic stop on Highway 71 in Beltrami County.

Christine Ann Herr, 45, was charged with third-degree driving while impaired after a breath test reportedly showed 0.16.

According to the criminal complaint, a Minnesota State Patrol trooper stopped Herr after observing her vehicle flashing its high beams.

The probable cause statement places the traffic stop on October 7, 2026, around 7:06 p.m.

Trooper Reports Signs of Alcohol Impairment

According to court documents, the trooper noticed a strong smell of alcohol coming from Herr’s vehicle.

When asked for identification, Herr reportedly struggled to remove her ID from her wallet.

The trooper questioned Herr about whether she had consumed alcohol.

According to the complaint, Herr admitted having two drinks approximately 15 minutes before the stop.

The trooper then asked Herr to participate in field sobriety testing.

Before testing began, Herr reportedly needed reminders to exit her vehicle.

She also required repeated instructions to walk toward the front of the patrol vehicle.

Field Sobriety Testing Raises Concerns

During the roadside investigation, the trooper reported observing several additional signs of possible impairment.

According to the complaint, Herr had difficulty following instructions during the tests.

She allegedly swayed, took an incorrect number of steps, and failed to properly complete a turn.

The trooper also reported problems with her eye movements during testing.

Herr declined to provide a preliminary roadside breath sample.

Authorities also observed a clear beverage in the vehicle’s center cupholder that reportedly smelled of alcohol.

The complaint does not identify a separate open-container charge.

Jail Breath Test Shows 0.16

Following the roadside investigation, the trooper arrested Herr on suspicion of driving while impaired.

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

At the jail, Herr received Minnesota’s breath test advisory and agreed to provide a sample.

According to the complaint, the test was conducted around 8:41 p.m.

The reported result was an alcohol concentration of 0.16.

That reading is twice Minnesota’s general legal driving limit of 0.08.

Bemidji Woman Faces DWI Charge After 0.16 Breath Test

Third-Degree DWI Charge Filed

Prosecutors charged Herr with third-degree DWI involving an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher.

The charge includes one aggravating factor under Minnesota law.

Under Minnesota Statute 169A.03, an alcohol concentration of 0.16 or higher qualifies as an aggravating factor.

Minnesota Statute 169A.26 classifies third-degree DWI as a gross misdemeanor.

A conviction can result in up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.

Those penalties are possible maximums, not a sentence imposed in Herr’s case.

Court Complaint Contains Date Difference

The charging document identifies October 11, 2026, as the offense date.

However, the probable cause statement describes the traffic stop as occurring October 7, 2026.

The reason for that difference is not explained in the supplied complaint.

Additional court records may clarify the correct incident date.

Beltrami County Court Proceedings

The case is filed in Beltrami County District Court under number 04-CR-26-2519.

The complaint does not establish a conviction, sentence, or final case outcome.

Readers can search for updates through Minnesota Court Records Online.

More information about impaired driving laws is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.

Herr is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.