Thief River Falls Man Charged After Fiery Rollover

Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — A Thief River Falls man faces two charges following a fiery rollover near St. Hilaire.

Jose Maximo Martinez, 30, is charged in Pennington County District Court.

Martinez faces third-degree driving while impaired for allegedly refusing a breath test.

He also faces a misdemeanor charge of obstructing the legal process.

The case is filed under court number 57-CR-26-641.

Rollover Reported Near St. Hilaire

According to the criminal complaint, authorities received a rollover report around 5:47 p.m. September 6.

The crash happened along Minnesota Highway 32, about one mile south of St. Hilaire.

The vehicle was reportedly on fire when emergency crews were dispatched.

Authorities had also received an earlier complaint about a possible impaired driver on Highway 32.

The earlier report involved a vehicle traveling north from Red Lake Falls toward St. Hilaire.

The complaint says the vehicle nearly struck another vehicle before leaving Red Lake Falls.

Authorities later identified Martinez as the driver involved in the rollover.

The vehicle was registered to Martinez, according to the complaint.

Martinez was the only person inside the vehicle and declined medical treatment at the scene.

Firefighters extinguished the vehicle fire before investigators examined the scene.

Authorities reported seeing several sealed alcoholic beverage cans outside the passenger side.

An empty crushed alcoholic beverage can was also found in the pickup.

The complaint says investigators noticed an odor of alcohol while speaking with Martinez.

His eyes appeared watery and glossy, according to court documents.

His speech was also described as slurred at times.

Martinez declined to answer questions about drinking or the crash.

He also refused a preliminary breath test at the scene.

Martinez was placed under arrest after authorities concluded he appeared impaired.

The complaint says Martinez later resisted efforts to place him inside a patrol vehicle.

Authorities eventually secured him inside after several attempts.

Martinez was then transported to the Pennington County Jail.

At the jail, Martinez was read Minnesota’s breath test advisory.

The complaint says he was given opportunities to contact an attorney.

Martinez later refused the requested breath test, according to the filing.

The test refusal charge falls under Minnesota Statute 169A.20.

The complaint lists a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.

The obstruction charge falls under Minnesota Statute 609.50.

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

More information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

A criminal complaint contains allegations and does not establish guilt.

Martinez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.