Hawley Stop Leads to Second-Degree DWI Charge
HAWLEY, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — A Fargo woman faces a second-degree DWI charge following a Highway 10 traffic stop.
Tara Kay Fermoyle, 44, was charged in Clay County District Court with second-degree driving while impaired.
The gross misdemeanor charge involves an alleged alcohol concentration of at least 0.08 within two hours of driving.
A criminal complaint says the traffic stop occurred on Highway 10 near Hawley in June 2026.
SUV Allegedly Drifted Onto Shoulder
According to the complaint, a black SUV nearly struck a patrol vehicle during a lane change.
The SUV then crossed the fog line and traveled onto the highway shoulder, the complaint alleges.
An officer stopped the Hyundai Tucson and identified Fermoyle as the driver.
The officer reported smelling a strong odor of alcohol from inside the vehicle.
The complaint also describes Fermoyle as having slurred speech and bloodshot, watery eyes.
Fermoyle denied drinking alcohol when questioned, according to the court filing.
Complaint Lists Two Breath Results
Fermoyle agreed to complete field sobriety tests after leaving the vehicle, the complaint states.
She allegedly showed several signs of impairment during an eye movement test.
During a walk-and-turn test, she allegedly lost balance and failed to follow instructions.
She also used her arms for balance and stepped away from the designated line.
A preliminary breath test produced an alleged alcohol concentration of 0.179, according to the complaint.
Fermoyle was arrested and taken to the Clay County Jail.
A later breath test allegedly measured her alcohol concentration at 0.16.
Minnesota’s legal driving limit is 0.08 for most drivers.
Prior DUI Cited in Court Filing
The complaint cites a previous North Dakota DUI conviction from August 2025.
That conviction increased the current allegation to a second-degree DWI charge, prosecutors allege.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.
More information about Minnesota DWI laws is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
Second-degree DWI penalties are outlined under Minnesota Statute 169A.25.
The allegations have not been proven in court. Fermoyle is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
