East Grand Forks DWI Stop Leads to 0.22 Breath Test

EAST GRAND FORKS, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – Robert Lee Denning, 63, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, faces two gross misdemeanor second-degree DWI charges.

The charges follow a September 14, 2026, traffic stop involving a pickup truck traveling from Minnesota into North Dakota.

According to a Polk County criminal complaint, Denning’s final breath test recorded an alcohol concentration of 0.22.

That reading was nearly three times Minnesota’s legal driving limit of 0.08.

Police Spot Pickup Swerving on Highway 2

At approximately 9:28 p.m., East Grand Forks police were patrolling near River Road Northwest.

Officers noticed a gray Dodge Dakota entering the westbound Highway 2 ramp.

According to court documents, the pickup crossed the fog line while entering the highway.

Police reported seeing the vehicle cross the line again after merging onto Highway 2.

The pickup reportedly crossed the fog line a third time while traveling across the Kennedy Bridge.

Officers activated their emergency lights and initiated a traffic stop.

The vehicle continued into Grand Forks, North Dakota, before stopping near First Avenue North.

Driver Shows Signs of Impairment

Police identified the driver as Robert Lee Denning.

According to the complaint, officers noticed Denning had slurred speech and difficulty locating his insurance information.

Denning reportedly acknowledged drinking alcohol earlier in the day.

He provided differing information about when he had consumed his last drink.

When Denning exited the pickup, officers reported smelling alcohol and noticing problems with his balance.

Police then conducted several field sobriety tests.

According to court records, Denning displayed six indicators during an eye movement test.

He also struggled with the walk-and-turn test and had difficulty standing on one leg.

Breath Test Records Alcohol Concentration of 0.22

Denning agreed to provide a preliminary breath sample.

The preliminary test showed an alcohol concentration of 0.221, according to the complaint.

Officers arrested Denning on suspicion of driving while impaired.

Because the traffic stop ended in North Dakota, police asked Denning to return voluntarily to Minnesota.

Denning agreed and was transported to the East Grand Forks Police Department.

At the department, officers explained the Minnesota breath test advisory.

Denning declined to contact an attorney and agreed to an official breath test.

The testing equipment accepted two breath samples and produced a final reported result of 0.22.

Previous DWI Conviction Listed

Investigators reviewed Denning’s driving record following the arrest.

The complaint identifies a previous driving under the influence conviction from February 25, 2020.

That conviction occurred in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Prosecutors cite the prior conviction and the elevated alcohol concentration as two aggravating factors.

Under Minnesota Statute 169A.25, two qualifying aggravating factors can support a second-degree DWI charge.

Two Gross Misdemeanor Charges Filed

Denning faces one second-degree DWI count alleging driving under the influence of alcohol.

A second count alleges driving with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or greater.

Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

The complaint also describes alcohol monitoring requirements that may apply during pretrial release.

Officers transported Denning to the Northwest Regional Corrections Center in Crookston.

The case is filed under Polk County Court File No. 60-CR-26-1349.

Readers can search court information through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The supplied complaint does not establish a final outcome in the case.

Denning is presumed innocent of the new charges unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.