Parkers Prairie Man Charged After .24 DWI Test

OTTER TAIL COUNTY (trfnews.i234.me) — A Parkers Prairie man faces three charges after a pickup entered a ditch near Henning.

Dustin Lee Pomeranz, 38, is charged in Otter Tail County District Court. He faces two gross misdemeanor DWI counts and one misdemeanor open bottle charge.

The charges are allegations. Pomeranz is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Pickup Found Near County Highway 6

According to the criminal complaint, authorities received a report at about 10:31 p.m. on June 20.

The caller reported a vehicle in a ditch near County Highway 6. The caller also believed the driver was intoxicated.

A deputy arrived and found a pickup partly in the ditch. The complaint said the rear of the truck was off the road.

Pomeranz allegedly said he was traveling from his girlfriend’s home in Henning. He said the truck entered the ditch while he tried turning around.

The complaint states Pomeranz denied drinking alcohol. He also declined an early breath test.

Signs of Impairment Alleged

Authorities reported smelling alcohol and seeing several possible signs of impairment.

The complaint lists bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and poor balance. It also claims Pomeranz showed impairment during field sobriety tests.

Dustin Pomeranz

Pomeranz declined a one-leg stand test and another preliminary breath test, according to the complaint.

Authorities arrested him on suspicion of DWI. The pickup was then prepared for towing.

A search allegedly found three Fireball Whisky bottles on the passenger seat. One bottle was open and about half empty.

An empty alcoholic seltzer can was also found, the complaint states.

Breath Test Allegedly Showed .24

Pomeranz was taken to the Otter Tail County Jail in Fergus Falls.

He later agreed to a DataMaster breath test. The complaint states the final result was .24.

That level is three times Minnesota’s general legal driving limit of .08.

The complaint also lists a prior DWI conviction from 2023. Prosecutors allege two aggravating factors were present.

Each gross misdemeanor DWI charge carries a possible sentence of 364 days in jail. Each also carries a possible $3,000 fine.

The open bottle charge carries up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

More information about Minnesota impaired-driving laws is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.

Court information can be found through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.