Wadena Man Faces DWI, Meth Charges With Kids in Car

Polk County (trfnews.i234.me) – Wadena resident Dallas James Hatchard, 23, faces three gross misdemeanor charges.

The allegations stem from an October 1, 2026, traffic stop on Highway 59.

Two children were passengers in the vehicle, according to a criminal complaint filed in Polk County District Court.

The charges involve alleged methamphetamine possession and two forms of driving while impaired.

Traffic Stop on Highway 59

At approximately 10:56 p.m., a state trooper noticed a red Buick traveling north on Highway 59.

The vehicle’s license plate lights were not working, according to the complaint.

The Buick turned onto a gravel road and stopped. The trooper then turned around to investigate.

Hatchard was driving, with one adult female passenger and two children inside the car.

During the stop, the trooper reported seeing unusual pupil reactions and rapid eye movements.

The trooper also reported smelling marijuana and observing signs of impairment during field sobriety tests.

Hatchard allegedly said he had smoked marijuana a few hours earlier.

The complaint says Hatchard and the female passenger agreed to a search of the Buick.

During that search, authorities reported finding a small baggie with methamphetamine residue inside Hatchard’s wallet.

They also reported finding marijuana in a black box in the glove compartment.

Three pipes containing burnt methamphetamine residue were reportedly found in the trunk.

Another black box contained a small plastic bag of methamphetamine, according to the complaint.

Prosecutors filed one DWI charge alleging Hatchard drove while under the influence of cannabis or related products.

A second DWI charge alleges he drove with methamphetamine or its metabolite in his system.

The complaint identifies a child under 16 in the vehicle as an aggravating factor for both DWI counts.

The children’s names and exact ages were not included in the supplied court document.

Hatchard was arrested and taken to the Northwest Regional Corrections Center.

A trooper obtained a warrant for a blood or urine sample, according to the complaint.

Hatchard provided a blood sample, which authorities planned to send to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

The complaint does not include laboratory results. The alleged presence of methamphetamine in his blood remains unconfirmed by the provided records.

The drug possession charge falls under Minnesota Statute 152.025.

The DWI allegations fall under Minnesota Statute 169A.20.

The charges also cite the third-degree DWI provisions of Minnesota Statute 169A.26.

Each charge carries a maximum possible penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 60-CR-26-1455.

Readers can check public updates through Minnesota Court Records Online.

These charges are allegations. Hatchard is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.