East Grand Forks: Felony Fleeing, DWI Charge

Polk County (trfnews.i234.me) — Timothy M. Patridge, of Grand Forks, is facing a felony charge in East Grand Forks after a brief pursuit.

What the police say happened

Court documents say an East Grand Forks officer went to an apartment after a verbal dispute call.

The complaint says the officer then tried to stop a vehicle linked to that call.

The officer activated emergency lights and a siren, the filing states.

The complaint alleges Patridge accelerated instead of stopping.

The vehicle then slowed and stopped a couple of blocks later, according to the filing.

Patridge was arrested after the stop, the documents say.

Court records say Patridge admitted he had been drinking.

The complaint also lists a preliminary breath test result above the legal limit.

In Minnesota, 0.08 is the standard legal limit for most drivers.

Patridge is charged with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.

State law describes fleeing as refusing to stop after a clear police signal.

He is also charged with gross misdemeanor driving while impaired.

Charges are allegations and must be proven in court.

Read Minnesota’s fleeing law here: Minn. Stat. § 609.487.

Read Minnesota’s DWI law here: Minn. Stat. § 169A.20.

Read the 0.08 screening reference here: Minn. Stat. § 169A.51.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.

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