Polk County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Cass Lake woman is charged with gross misdemeanor DWI after a vehicle was found stuck in the median on Highway 2 near Mentor, according to a criminal complaint.
Court records identify the defendant as Chantelle Lynn Fairbanks, 37, of Cass Lake.
She is charged with gross misdemeanor second-degree driving while impaired, according to court records.
Vehicle found in the median on Highway 2
According to the complaint, a Polk County deputy was dispatched at about 2:24 a.m. on January 8, 2026.
The call reported a vehicle in a ditch on Minnesota Highway 2.
When the deputy arrived, the complaint says a black 2005 Chrysler was sitting in the median.
The driver was identified as Fairbanks, according to the complaint.
She told the deputy she was traveling from Crookston to Cass Lake.
She said she was going to visit her sister in the hospital, the complaint states.
She told the deputy she hit a patch of ice.
Impairment signs alleged
The deputy reported Fairbanks had watery eyes, according to the complaint.
The deputy also reported smelling alcohol coming from the vehicle.
Fairbanks told the deputy she did not have her driver’s license with her, the complaint says.
A records check showed her driving privileges were revoked, according to the complaint.
Field tests and breath result
During field testing, the complaint says Fairbanks showed impairment clues.
She allegedly showed six of six indicators on the HGN eye test.
She allegedly showed four of eight clues on the walk-and-turn test.
She allegedly showed three of four clues on the one-leg stand test.
Fairbanks was arrested and taken to the Northwest Regional Corrections Center, the complaint says.
A formal breath test at 3:59 a.m. measured a 0.11 alcohol concentration, according to the complaint.
Prior record noted
Court records state Fairbanks has prior impaired driving convictions from 2020 and 2023.
Records also list prior convictions for theft by swindle and an open bottle violation.
Bail and release conditions
Judge Anne Rasmusson set bail at $1,200 with conditions or $15,000 without conditions, records say.
Conditions include staying law-abiding and making all court appearances.
Records also require contact with an attorney and the use of an alcohol monitor.
Records say she must stay out of bars and liquor stores.
Records also prohibit alcohol and controlled substances.
She must submit to random testing and searches on reasonable suspicion, records say.
Offense date listed: January 8, 2026.
Date filed in court listed: January 9, 2026.
Resources
Minnesota DWI law: Minn. Stat. 169A.20.
Minnesota court records portal: Minnesota Judicial Branch.
Minnesota Highway 2 travel info: 511 Minnesota.
Charges are allegations.
Fairbanks is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.