Crookston Man Charged With DWI, 2 Children in Car
Polk County (trfnews.i234.me) – A Crookston man faces four charges following a traffic stop on November 7, 2026.
Antonio Dashon Atkins, 31, is accused of driving while impaired with two young children in his vehicle.
According to court documents, Atkins allegedly had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.16 during the investigation.
Prosecutors charged him with two counts of second-degree driving while impaired, both gross misdemeanors.
He also faces charges involving child passenger safety and driving after license revocation.
Trooper Spots Erratic Driving on Highway 2
According to the criminal complaint, a Minnesota State Patrol trooper was traveling eastbound on U.S. Highway 2.
At approximately 4:20 p.m., the trooper noticed a white Kia Stinger traveling in the left lane.
The vehicle activated its left turn signal but failed to turn.
The complaint states the Kia then veered halfway into the right lane before returning to its lane.
The trooper stopped the vehicle after it turned onto 410th Avenue SW in Polk County.
The driver was identified as Antonio Dashon Atkins of Crookston.
Two Young Children Found Inside Vehicle
During the stop, the trooper reported smelling alcohol coming from the vehicle.
Atkins also allegedly had bloodshot eyes.
The trooper discovered two young children sitting in car seats in the back seat.
One child was approximately two years old. The other was just seven months old.
According to the complaint, both car seats were facing forward.
Minnesota law generally requires children under two to ride in a rear-facing child restraint system.
The alleged violation involving the seven-month-old resulted in a separate petty misdemeanor charge.
Breath Tests Show Elevated Alcohol Levels
The complaint states Atkins was reluctant to complete field sobriety testing.
However, he agreed to provide a preliminary breath sample.
That roadside test reportedly produced a reading of 0.208.
The trooper also observed watery, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and an odor of alcohol.
Atkins was transported to the Northwest Regional Correction Center for further testing.
He agreed to an official breath test after receiving Minnesota’s breath-testing advisory.
The test registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.16 at approximately 5:59 p.m.
That result was twice Minnesota’s legal alcohol limit of 0.08.
Previous DWI Conviction and License Revocations
Court records cited in the complaint identify a previous DWI conviction dated April 6, 2026.
The complaint also lists two driving privilege revocations during 2026.
Those revocations occurred on April 17 and July 16.
According to prosecutors, Atkins was driving despite his revoked Minnesota driving privileges.
The previous conviction, reported alcohol level, and presence of children were cited as aggravating factors.
Four Criminal and Traffic Charges Filed
Atkins faces the following charges in Polk County District Court:
- Count 1: Second-degree DWI – Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
- Count 2: Second-degree DWI – Alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher.
- Count 3: Child passenger restraint violation involving a child under two.
- Count 4: Driving after revocation.
Each gross misdemeanor DWI charge carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.
The child restraint violation carries a maximum fine of $300.
The driving after revocation charge carries up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Additional information about these laws is available through the Minnesota second-degree DWI statute and Minnesota child passenger safety law.
Case Filed in Polk County District Court
The criminal complaint was filed under court case number 60-CR-26-1655.
The filing includes an order of detention.
The provided complaint does not establish a final verdict or sentence.
Readers can search for updates through Minnesota Court Records Online.
Atkins is presumed innocent of the current charges unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
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