Thief River Falls Man Charged After .18 Test

THIEF RIVER FALLS (trfnews.i234.me) — A Thief River Falls man faces a gross misdemeanor impaired-driving charge following a June traffic stop.

Jason Brandon Peterson, 34, was charged in Pennington County District Court. The complaint lists the charge as third-degree driving while impaired.

The charge applies when an alcohol concentration measures .16 or higher. Court records allege Peterson recorded a final breath-test result of .18.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail. It also carries a possible $3,000 fine.

Caller Reported Fight and Vehicle

The case began during the evening of June 13, 2026. Dispatch received a report about a fight near apartments on State Highway 1.

The caller said an intoxicated person had left in a gray vehicle. The caller also provided part of the license plate.

A deputy later saw a silver sport utility vehicle traveling north. The vehicle was near 140th Avenue Northeast and 210th Street Northeast.

The complaint says the driver threw containers from the window twice. Liquid also appeared to leave the vehicle.

The deputy stopped the vehicle after matching its plate with the caller’s description. Peterson was identified as the driver.

Peterson reportedly said he was traveling to Cavalier for an air conditioner. He also described a dispute with a coworker.

The deputy reported smelling alcohol during the stop. Peterson allegedly said he had consumed two Fireball drinks.

He then completed several field sobriety tests. The complaint describes signs of impairment during two tests.

A roadside breath test produced a reported reading of .17. Peterson was then arrested.

A search reportedly found open alcohol packages behind the driver’s seat. Empty Twisted Tea cans were also found inside.

Peterson was taken to the Pennington County Jail. A later evidentiary breath test measured his alcohol concentration at .18.

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

The charge remains an allegation. Peterson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole, reporting for TRF News.