Mahnomen County (trfnews.i234.me) A Naytahwaush woman is facing two felony charges after authorities said they found her impaired inside a truck parked along a road north of town.
According to a criminal complaint, 34-year-old Rhea Rae Bigeagle was charged in Mahnomen County District Court with felony driving while impaired and fifth-degree drug possession.
Driver Found Slumped Over
The case began on March 1, 2026, at about 5:25 p.m. Deputies were called to Blair Road, north of Naytahwaush. A report said a person was slumped over the steering wheel of a truck.
When law enforcement arrived, the complaint says Bigeagle was in the driver’s seat. Another person was in the passenger seat. The complaint says both people began reaching toward the middle and rear of the truck.
Bigeagle was asked to step out. The complaint says she showed signs of impairment. Those signs included slow speech, droopy eyes, poor balance, and constricted pupils. The complaint also says she rated herself as a 7.5 on a scale of 10 when asked how high she was.
Search of the Truck
Authorities said a search of the truck turned up several hypodermic needles, alcohol prep pads, sterile water vials, scope straws, and makeshift pipes.
Investigators also reported finding a pink bag on the passenger side dash. Inside, they said they found a tin cooker and a rubber container. Both held a substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the complaint.
The complaint also states that vehicle keys were found in a rear storage pocket on the passenger side. Investigators said the keys worked when placed in the ignition.
Field Tests and Prior History
Bigeagle was taken to the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office. There, deputies had her perform field sobriety tests. The complaint says she showed several signs of impairment during those tests.
A search warrant was later obtained for a blood or urine sample. The complaint says Bigeagle was then taken to Mahnomen Health, where a blood sample was collected.
Court records cited in the complaint say Bigeagle also has two pending DWI cases from December 2, 2025, and January 4, 2026. The complaint also states she has a prior felony fifth-degree drug conviction from 2022.
The charges are allegations. They have not been proven in court. A detention order was issued in the case.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
