Becker County, MN (trfnews.i234.me)—On December 26, 2024, law enforcement officials arrested Brandon Michael Kertscher, aged 34, for driving while impaired (DWI) under the influence of a controlled substance. The arrest was made in accordance with Minnesota Statute 169A.20, subdivision 1(2), which prohibits operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance.
Legal Context:
Minnesota Statute 169A.20 outlines offenses related to impaired driving. Subdivision 1(2) specifically addresses operating a vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, while subdivision 1(7) pertains to the presence of any amount of a Schedule I or II controlled substance, excluding marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinols, in the driver’s body.
Penalties:
Violations of these statutes can result in varying degrees of charges:
- Fourth-Degree DWI (Misdemeanor): Applies when no aggravating factors are present.
- Third-Degree DWI (Gross Misdemeanor): Involves one aggravating factor, such as a prior DWI conviction within ten years.
- Second-Degree DWI (Gross Misdemeanor): Involves two or more aggravating factors.
- First-Degree DWI (Felony): Applies if the individual has three or more prior impaired driving incidents within ten years or a previous felony DWI conviction.
Prior Record:
Public records indicate that Kertscher has a history of similar offenses. In July 2024, he was booked in Becker County, Minnesota, on charges related to the possession of a controlled substance.
Conclusion:
The recent arrest adds to Kertscher’s record of legal issues concerning controlled substances and impaired driving. The case underscores the enforcement of Minnesota’s DWI laws aimed at enhancing road safety.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me