Kittson County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Lancaster man now faces two DWI charges. Court records describe a Highway 59 traffic stop.
David Floyd Baker Jr, 52, of Lancaster, Minnesota, is charged with Third Degree DWI. He is also charged with Fourth Degree DWI.
What led to the stop
A complaint says a Kittson County deputy drove south on Highway 59 near Lancaster. It was January 23, 2026.
At about 9:01 p.m., the deputy met a northbound vehicle with high beams on, the complaint says.
The deputy reported the driver did not dim the lights. The deputy said the glare hurt his view.
The deputy stopped the vehicle on Highway 59, just south of 320th Avenue, the complaint states.
Signs of impairment are alleged
The complaint says the deputy smelled alcohol while speaking with the driver. The driver was identified as Baker.
Baker told the deputy he had been at the Legion in Lake Bronson, the complaint says. He said he had two drinks.
The deputy performed field testing and noted clues on a Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, the complaint states.
Other balance tests were not done due to Baker’s recent surgery, according to the complaint.
For more on the HGN test, see this guide from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
NHTSA: Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (PDF)
Breath test results
A preliminary breath test at the scene showed .147, the complaint says.
Baker was arrested and taken to the Kittson County Jail, according to the filing.
An evidentiary breath test at about 9:52 p.m. showed .16, the complaint states.
Minnesota’s legal limit is .08 for most drivers. That standard is set in Minnesota’s DWI laws.
Minnesota Revisor: Chapter 169A (DWI laws)
Charges and court process
Prosecutors charged Baker by summons in Kittson County District Court.
The alleged offense date is January 23, 2026, the complaint states. The case was filed on February 5, 2026.
Third Degree DWI is addressed in Minnesota Statute 169A.26.
Minnesota Revisor: 169A.26 (Third Degree DWI)
Fourth Degree DWI is addressed in Minnesota Statute 169A.27.
Minnesota Revisor: 169A.27 (Fourth Degree DWI)
Public case details may appear later on Minnesota Court Records Online.
Minnesota Judicial Branch: MCRO access
The district court for Kittson County is based in Hallock.
Minnesota Judicial Branch: Kittson County District Court
All charges are allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.