Otter Tail County (trfnews.i234.me) – A woman is facing multiple DWI charges after crashing her SUV with her two toddlers inside Sunday afternoon on Interstate 94 east of Fergus Falls. No injuries were reported, but prosecutors say the woman had a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit.
The crash happened around 3:47 p.m. on November 9 near mile marker 64. Fergus Falls officers arrived to find a heavily damaged SUV in the westbound lane. Court documents identify the driver as 40-year-old Ashley Heitman.
Heitman’s two children, ages 2 and 4, were in the vehicle during the crash. They were not hurt. Heitman told officers she had been driving from the Metro area before the crash. Police later confirmed that driving complaints involving her vehicle had been reported in three other counties.
Signs of Impairment Reported
Prosecutors say Heitman showed several signs of impairment at the scene. Officers searched the SUV and found an empty strawberry margarita beverage and a 1/4 full vodka mule in the center console.
After speaking with an attorney, Heitman agreed to a breath test. The test was taken at about 5:30 p.m. and showed a blood alcohol concentration of .24, which is three times the legal limit in Minnesota. Court records show Heitman has a previous DWI conviction.
Charges Filed After Court Appearance
Heitman made her first court appearance on Monday morning. She is charged with two gross misdemeanor counts of second-degree DWI. She is also charged with violating her driver’s license alcohol restriction and possessing an open bottle in a motor vehicle.
Driving under the influence with children in the vehicle carries enhanced penalties under Minnesota law. More information on state DWI statutes can be found at the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
The case remains active in Otter Tail County District Court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
