Norman County (trfnews.i234.me) — A traffic stop near Hendrum has led to a third-degree DWI charge against Nathan Levi Bell, 27, of Harwood, North Dakota, according to a criminal complaint filed in Minnesota District Court.
Prosecutors allege Bell was stopped on March 29, 2026, on Highway 75 near 150th Avenue in Norman County. Court records say a deputy saw a red pickup cross the center line and fog line more than once. The complaint also says the pickup was going 66 mph in a 60 mph zone.
Charges Filed
Bell is charged with third-degree driving while impaired, which is a gross misdemeanor. He also faces a misdemeanor open bottle charge and a petty misdemeanor speeding charge. The DWI count includes an aggravating factor tied to a prior North Dakota DWI conviction from June 15, 2022.
The complaint says Bell had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 within two hours of driving. Minnesota law sets the legal limit at 0.08. More information on the state’s DWI law is available through the Minnesota Revisor’s Office.
What the Complaint Says
According to the complaint, Bell showed signs of drinking during the stop. The court filing says he had bloodshot, watery eyes and a strong odor of alcohol in the vehicle. Bell also allegedly said he had consumed a couple of beers after attending a Hendrum Fire Department event.
The complaint says Bell showed clues of impairment during field sobriety tests. A preliminary breath test allegedly showed 0.18. A later breath test allegedly showed 0.15. Investigators also reported finding two open, partly consumed cans of beer inside the vehicle. The open bottle law can be reviewed here. The speeding law is available here.
These charges are allegations. Bell is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
