AKELEY, MN (trfnews.i234.me) — A 55-year-old Elk River man is facing a gross misdemeanor DWI charge after reportedly crashing into a parked car at a Dollar General in Akeley with a blood alcohol concentration of .31, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hubbard County District Court.
On July 11, 2025, at around 5:30 p.m., Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Adam Bergeron responded to a report of a property damage crash in the parking lot of Dollar General on Broadway Street West. Witnesses at the scene stated that one of the drivers appeared intoxicated and was attempting to flee.
Trooper Bergeron located the suspect—identified as Dean Allen Busch (DOB: 05/12/1970)—inside the store attempting to exit through a back door, setting off an alarm. Busch was reportedly staggering, unsteady on his feet, and slurring his speech. He admitted to drinking wine and claimed he did not recall hitting the other vehicle.
Due to Busch’s extreme level of impairment, field sobriety tests were deemed unsafe, but a preliminary breath test (PBT) registered a staggering .340 BAC.
Busch was arrested and transported to the Hubbard County Jail, where a DataMaster breath test at 6:30 p.m. recorded a .31 BAC, nearly four times the legal limit.
He is charged with:
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Third Degree Driving While Impaired – BAC .08 or more, with aggravating factor (Gross Misdemeanor)
Busch allegedly struck a red 2016 Chevy Cruze while driving his 2021 Nissan Titan. The crash was witnessed by a bystander who provided their contact information to authorities.
Dean Busch remains in custody pending further court proceedings.
Reporting by TRF News | trfnews.i234.me