Cass County, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – A Motley man is facing a gross misdemeanor DWI charge after allegedly refusing to submit to a chemical breath test following a single-vehicle crash in Cass County.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Cass County District Court, Robert Scott Turner (DOB: 07/11/1963) was involved in a crash on July 9, 2025, on Highway 210 near Meadowlark Lane. Minnesota State Trooper Diederich responded to the scene and found Turner standing in front of a damaged green van in the ditch.
Turner claimed he swerved to avoid a coyote before crashing. However, Trooper Diederich observed that Turner had poor balance and was using the vehicle to stay upright. Turner declined medical assistance.
Field sobriety tests were initiated but limited due to Turner’s instability. The horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test indicated impairment at every phase. A preliminary breath test (PBT) at the scene showed a blood alcohol content of .177—more than twice the legal limit.
Turner was transported to the Crow Wing County Detention Center, where he was read the Breath Test Advisory. Though initially asking to call an attorney, Turner then declined, stating he had already received legal advice. When asked to take the official breath test, Turner refused, citing his lawyer’s guidance.
Turner is charged with:
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Count I: DWI – Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test (Breath)
(Gross Misdemeanor – up to 364 days in jail and/or $3,000 fine)
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.