Roseau Chase Tops 90 MPH; Driver Faces 4 Felonies

ROSEAU, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – A Roseau man faces four felony charges following a police pursuit that allegedly reached speeds exceeding 90 mph on Highway 11.

Brian Duane Hites, 42, of Roseau, is charged with felony DWI, methamphetamine possession, fleeing police, and misdemeanor reckless driving.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Roseau County District Court, deputies recovered two quantities of suspected methamphetamine totaling approximately 13.82 grams.

Disturbance at Roseau Gas Station Leads to Police Response

The incident began November 3, 2026, when Roseau County deputies responded to a disturbance near Denny’s gas station.

Dispatchers reported that a man was making unusual comments inside the business and repeatedly walking between vehicles and gas pumps.

As a deputy approached, he noticed a gray Dodge Challenger parked in front of Earl’s Drive-In.

The vehicle was partially blocking the roadway, forcing another driver to move into a turn lane.

According to court documents, the deputy activated his emergency lights behind the Challenger.

Before the squad car was fully parked, the Challenger allegedly began moving away.

Police Pursuit Reaches Speeds Over 90 MPH

Investigators allege that the driver ignored emergency lights and sirens while continuing through Roseau.

Officers reportedly deployed stop sticks near the Highway 11 bridge.

However, the driver allegedly swerved around the devices and continued westbound.

According to the complaint, the Challenger exceeded 70 mph while traveling through the western portion of Roseau.

Near Border Bank, authorities reported the vehicle reaching 75 mph in a 45-mph zone.

After leaving the city, the Challenger allegedly accelerated beyond 90 mph on Highway 11.

The driver eventually stopped before accelerating again, spinning the tires, and stopping approximately 50 yards farther down the road.

Driver Arrested After Highway Pursuit

Officers approached the vehicle and directed the driver to the ground.

According to the complaint, the driver appeared dazed and confused when authorities made contact.

Police identified him as Hites and placed him under arrest.

During transportation to jail, investigators reported that Hites made statements they had difficulty understanding.

A Roseau man faces four felony charges following a police pursuit that allegedly reached speeds exceeding 90 mph on Highway 11.

Police Report Finding Nearly 14 Grams of Suspected Meth

During a search following the arrest, authorities reportedly discovered a bag containing suspected methamphetamine in Hites’ back pocket.

A second suspected methamphetamine rock was allegedly recovered from a black Leatherman case.

Both substances produced preliminary positive field-test results for methamphetamine.

According to court documents, the seized substances weighed approximately 3.24 grams and 10.58 grams.

Investigators also searched the Challenger and reportedly discovered a broken glass pipe inside a sock.

Police described the pipe as commonly associated with methamphetamine use.

Previous Felony DWI Conviction Cited

At the Roseau County Detention Center, authorities obtained a warrant for chemical testing.

Hites provided a urine sample, but the complaint does not include laboratory results.

Prosecutors also cited a previous first-degree felony DWI conviction in Roseau County case 68-CR-16-361.

The complaint additionally references a previous felony third-degree controlled substance possession conviction.

The prior felony DWI conviction is the basis for elevating the new DWI allegations to first-degree felony charges.

Four Felony Charges and One Misdemeanor

Hites faces the following five charges:

Count 1: First-degree DWI involving a controlled substance – Felony.
Count 2: First-degree DWI involving an alleged Schedule I or II controlled substance in the body – Felony.
Count 3: Fifth-degree controlled substance possession – Felony.
Count 4: Fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle – Felony.
Count 5: Reckless driving – Misdemeanor.

Each first-degree DWI charge carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, a $14,000 fine, or both, under Minnesota Statute 169A.24.

The drug possession charge carries a maximum of five years and a $10,000 fine.

The fleeing charge carries a maximum prison term of three years and one day under Minnesota Statute 609.487.