Clearwater County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Mahnomen man faces a gross misdemeanor DWI charge after an SUV reportedly left a Clearwater County roadway.
Jerome Tyler Johnson, 21, is charged with third-degree driving while impaired following the September 20, 2026, incident.
According to court documents, Johnson allegedly had an alcohol concentration of .17 during an official breath test.
The charge was filed in Clearwater County District Court under case number 15-CR-26-333.
SUV Reportedly Leaves Roadway
According to the criminal complaint, authorities received a report about a gold-colored SUV traveling in Clearwater County.
The incident happened near the intersection of Sand Lake Avenue and 340th Street.
An off-duty sheriff’s deputy reportedly witnessed the SUV leave the roadway and launch off an approach.
The SUV then returned to the road and continued westbound on 340th Street at a high rate of speed.
The deputy followed the vehicle until it became disabled near 141st Avenue.
The SUV eventually stopped along the roadside.
When the deputy approached, Johnson allegedly showed signs of possible alcohol impairment.
Deputies Investigate Suspected Impairment
An on-duty Clearwater County deputy arrived and observed the gold SUV parked along the road.
The vehicle reportedly had moderate damage to its front driver’s side.
According to the complaint, the deputy spoke with Johnson outside the vehicle.
The deputy noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from Johnson.
When questioned, Johnson reportedly admitted consuming three Four Loko alcoholic beverages.
He then agreed to complete several field sobriety tests.
Breath Tests Show Elevated Alcohol Levels
According to investigators, Johnson displayed several signs of impairment during field sobriety testing.
The complaint reports six of six possible clues during the horizontal gaze nystagmus test.
Johnson also reportedly displayed seven of eight clues during the walk-and-turn test.
During the one-leg stand test, investigators observed two of four possible clues.
Johnson then submitted to a roadside preliminary breath test.
The preliminary test reportedly measured an alcohol concentration of .193.
He was subsequently transported to the Clearwater County Jail.
A later DataMaster breath test reportedly produced an alcohol concentration of .17.
Both reported measurements were above Minnesota’s standard legal driving limit of .08.
Third-Degree DWI Charge Filed
Prosecutors charged Johnson with third-degree driving while impaired under Minnesota Statute 169A.26.
The complaint identifies an alcohol concentration of .16 or higher as the aggravating factor.
Under Minnesota Statute 169A.03, that concentration qualifies as an aggravating factor when statutory conditions are met.
Third-degree DWI is classified as a gross misdemeanor in Minnesota.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
Those penalties represent possible maximums and do not indicate that Johnson has been sentenced.
Clearwater County Court Proceedings
The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 15-CR-26-333.
The complaint is designated as an order-of-detention matter.
The supplied document does not establish Johnson’s current custody status, plea, or final court outcome.
Readers can search the case through Minnesota Court Records Online.
All charges remain allegations. Johnson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
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