Fergus Falls Woman Charged With DWI, Test Refusal

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. — (trfnews.i234.me) — A Fergus Falls woman faces two DWI-related charges after a June traffic stop.

Melissa Jane Warren, 38, was charged in Otter Tail County District Court. The case was filed under court number 56-CR-26-1511.

Warren faces one count of second-degree refusal to submit to a chemical test. She also faces one count of third-degree driving while impaired.

Both charges are gross misdemeanors. Each charge carries a possible jail term of 364 days. Each also carries a possible $3,000 fine.

The charges are allegations. Warren is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Report Began on County Highway 11

The incident began at about 9:42 p.m. on June 26, 2026.

Deputies received a report about an SUV stopped in a roadway. Children were reportedly standing near the vehicle.

The caller also reported that the driver appeared slumped over inside the SUV.

A deputy later found the vehicle traveling along County Highway 11. The SUV then pulled onto the roadside.

Court documents identify Warren as the driver. Five children were also inside the vehicle.

The children ranged in age from 2 to 8, according to the complaint.

Melissa Jane Warren booking photo.

The complaint states Warren had glossy eyes and slurred speech. It also alleges a strong alcohol odor came from the vehicle.

Warren appeared unsteady after leaving the SUV, according to the complaint. She also allegedly struggled to follow directions.

The filing alleges Warren said she was intoxicated. She also handed over an unopened small bottle of alcohol.

Warren allegedly refused a preliminary breath test before her arrest.

She was then taken to the Otter Tail County Detention Facility. Officers gave her Minnesota’s breath-test advisory at the facility.

The complaint states Warren was allowed to contact an attorney. She allegedly refused the requested breath test afterward.

Minnesota law addresses impaired driving and chemical-test refusal under Minnesota Statute 169A.20.

Information about second-degree DWI appears in Section 169A.25.

Third-degree DWI rules appear in Section 169A.26.

Readers can search public case information through Minnesota Court Records Online.

Future hearings and the final outcome were not included in the provided complaint.

I’m Adrian Cole, reporting for TRF News.