Crookston, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) A Crookston man is facing two gross misdemeanor DWI charges after a traffic stop in rural Polk County, according to a criminal complaint.
Charges Filed In Polk County
Christopher Ryan Martin, 29, is charged in Minnesota District Court in Polk County.
The complaint lists third-degree DWI and third-degree DWI with an alcohol concentration of .08 or more within two hours.
Both charges are gross misdemeanors under Minnesota DWI law.
Each count carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
What The Complaint Says
According to the complaint, the traffic stop happened on March 29, 2026, at about 2:50 p.m.
A sheriff’s deputy saw an SUV cross the center line on U.S. Highway 75.
The vehicle then hit a curb at the roundabout near Center Street, the complaint says.
The SUV also weaved in its lane and crossed the center line again before the stop.
Martin was identified as the driver. Bailey Martin, his wife, was also in the SUV.
The complaint says there was a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle.
It also says Martin’s speech appeared slurred.
Martin told law enforcement he had “a couple” drinks and had consumed alcohol earlier in the day.
During field sobriety testing, the complaint says Martin indicated he was impaired.
When asked to take a preliminary breath test, he allegedly said he would fail.
Reported Breath Test Result
Martin was taken to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office process and then to the Northwest Regional Corrections Center in Crookston, according to the complaint.
Court records say he later provided a breath test.
That test showed a reported alcohol concentration of .22 at 4:10 p.m.
The complaint states that level is well above the legal limit.
It also qualifies as an aggravating factor under Minnesota law.
Case Status
The case was filed in the Ninth Judicial District as court file 60-CR-26-416.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations until proven in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
