Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) – An 18-year-old Thief River Falls woman faces drunk driving and cannabis-related charges after a late-night traffic stop on Highway 59 Southeast.
Traffic stop on Highway 59
The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office reports that a deputy stopped a vehicle in the 1900 block of Highway 59 Southeast at about 2:19 a.m. on November 29.
The driver was identified as Olivia Mary Rose Wengeler of Thief River Falls.
Mugshot: Olivia Mary Rose Wengeler
According to the report, the deputy suspected impairment during the stop.
Wengeler was later cited for fourth-degree driving while impaired and possession of an open cannabis package in a motor vehicle under Minnesota law.
Charges and legal process
Officials noted that her blood alcohol content was listed as unavailable on the citation.
Minnesota’s legal blood alcohol concentration limit for most drivers is 0.08, but drivers can face a DWI charge at lower levels if impairment is observed.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety explains these limits and penalties
Wengeler was arrested at the scene and taken to jail.
Details about future court dates were not yet listed in public records as of publication time.
Fourth-degree DWI is commonly charged in Minnesota for first-time offenses without aggravating factors.
A conviction can bring possible jail time, fines, license restrictions, and mandatory education or treatment requirements, depending on the case.
Legal guides on Minnesota DWI laws outline potential penalties
Minnesota cannabis open package law
Minnesota’s open cannabis package law makes it illegal to keep improperly packaged cannabis flower or products in the passenger area of a vehicle on a street or highway.
The statute functions much like the state’s open alcohol container law and is generally charged as a misdemeanor offense.
The law is set out in Minnesota Statute 169A.36 and related guidance.
Recent reports note that prosecutors across Minnesota have filed thousands of cases involving cannabis in vehicles since legalization, underscoring how often drivers encounter this law in traffic stops.
Impaired driving safety message
Drivers in Minnesota are urged to plan a sober ride, use a designated driver, or arrange for a ride-share or taxi if they have been drinking or using cannabis.
State safety officials say impaired driving remains a major factor in serious crashes statewide.
Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths’ impaired driving resources describe the ongoing impact of alcohol- and drug-impaired crashes.
More information about impaired driving laws and penalties is available from the
Minnesota Department of Public Safety and other official state resources.
This case remains under review in Pennington County.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
