Polk County ( trfnews.i234.me ) – A Fargo man faces a gross misdemeanor DWI charge after an alleged erratic drive led to a .27 breath test result in Crookston, according to a criminal complaint.
Court records say the stop began with a traffic complaint on August 22, 2025. A caller reported a white Kia that was “all over the road” near Highway 102 and Highway 9. A Polk County deputy positioned near the area and soon saw the vehicles heading west toward Crookston on Highway 2.
The deputy observed the Kia cross the right-side fog line, then drift across the entire left lane and over the left fog line. A stop was initiated. The vehicle pulled into a business lot near Christian Brothers’ Ford and OK Tire.
The driver was identified as Michael Blain Christianson, 39, of Fargo. The deputy noted an odor of alcohol, slurred and slow speech, and trouble locating insurance documents. Christianson reportedly said he was on his phone and headed to Minot to farm.
Field sobriety testing followed. The complaint states the deputy observed a lack of smooth pursuit on the eye test. During the walk-and-turn, Christianson struggled to keep balance, started early, and made an improper turn. On the one-leg stand, he used his arms for balance, put his foot down, and did not count as instructed.
According to the report, Christianson refused a preliminary breath test at the roadside. He was arrested and taken to the Northwest Regional Corrections Center. At approximately 7:07 p.m., he was read the Minnesota breath test advisory. He declined to speak with an attorney “at this time” and agreed to test.
After two accepted breath samples, the DataMaster DMT recorded a final alcohol concentration of .27 at 7:27 p.m., within two hours of driving, the complaint says.
Christianson is charged with third-degree DWI – .16 or more, a gross misdemeanor. The count carries up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $3,000 if convicted. The case remains pending in Polk County District Court.
Authorities remind drivers that Minnesota’s per se limit is 0.08, with enhanced penalties for 0.16 or more. Read Minnesota’s DWI statute and third-degree DWI provisions.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
