Equality Township DWI: Man Charged After BAC .202
Equality Township (trfnews.i234.me) — A Brooks man is facing a gross misdemeanor DWI charge in Red Lake County District Court.
According to a criminal complaint, Timothy Vernon Lee, 63, of Brooks, was charged after an early morning traffic stop on May 17, 2026.
The case was filed in Red Lake County District Court under court file number 63-CR-26-74.
Lee is charged with operating or being in physical control of a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours.
The complaint says one aggravating factor was present. Minnesota law lists an alcohol concentration of 0.16 or higher as an aggravating factor.
More information about Minnesota DWI law is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
Vehicle Reported Stopped In Roadway
The complaint states a Red Lake County deputy was on patrol around 12:27 a.m.
The deputy reported seeing a white 2021 Nissan Altima stopped in the roadway on County Road 1.
The vehicle was about four miles east of County Road 5 in Equality Township.
The deputy turned around, stopped behind the vehicle, and activated emergency lights for a welfare check.
Lee was allegedly found asleep behind the wheel. The complaint says the vehicle was still in neutral.
The deputy told Lee to place the vehicle in park. Instead, Lee allegedly shifted into drive and began moving.
The complaint says the deputy ran beside the vehicle and told Lee to stop.
Timothy Vernon Lee
Breath Test Allegedly Registered .202
Lee eventually stopped and exited the vehicle, according to the complaint.
Authorities reported signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and stumbling.
Lee allegedly told the deputy he had consumed “2 or 3” drinks.
The complaint says Lee agreed to field sobriety testing.
Authorities reported signs of impairment during the eye test.
A preliminary roadside breath test allegedly showed a blood alcohol concentration of .18.
Lee was then arrested on suspicion of DWI, according to the complaint.
At the sheriff’s office, Lee was read the Minnesota Implied Consent Advisory.
The complaint says Lee declined to speak with an attorney.
He then provided two breath samples on a DMT machine.
The lower sample allegedly registered an alcohol concentration of .202.
Gross Misdemeanor Charge Filed
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.
Third-degree DWI is a gross misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 169A.26.
Public court records may be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.
A criminal complaint is not a conviction.
Lee is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.