Donald Joseph Muonio, 27, of Bethel, Minnesota, is charged in Cass County District Court. The case is filed under court number 11-CR-26-787.<\/p>\n
The charges stem from an incident reported on May 29, 2026. Cass County dispatch received a report of a vehicle in the ditch near Arthur\u2019s Point Road.<\/p>\n
The caller said the driver appeared confused. A Cass County deputy responded and found a truck about 50 to 75 yards from the roadway.<\/p>\n
Investigators said tire tracks showed where the truck left the road.<\/p>\n
Driver Allegedly First Denied Driving<\/h2>\n
According to the court complaint, Muonio first said he was a passenger. He claimed he met another person camping in the woods. He said that person had driven his truck.<\/p>\n
Muonio allegedly could not provide the person\u2019s name. He also could not describe what the person looked like.<\/p>\n
First responders checked Muonio at the scene. The complaint states there were no immediate medical concerns.<\/p>\n
Authorities later said the passenger seat was filled with personal property. They said there was no room for a person to sit there.<\/p>\n
The complaint also states that the only locked seat belt was in the driver\u2019s seat. Muonio allegedly had a seat belt injury across his left side.<\/p>\n
Authorities said that the injury was consistent with being in the driver\u2019s seat. Muonio later allegedly admitted he was driving the truck.<\/p>\n
Breath Test Reported At .14 BAC<\/h2>\n
The complaint says Muonio showed signs of impairment. Those signs included the odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and watery eyes.<\/p>\n
Authorities also reported signs of impairment during field sobriety testing.<\/p>\n
A preliminary breath test reportedly showed a .127 blood alcohol concentration. Muonio was then taken to the Cass County Law Enforcement Center in Walker.<\/p>\n
After being read the breath test advisory, Muonio took a DMT breath test. The complaint states the result was .14 BAC.<\/p>\n
Muonio is charged with operating a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more. He is also charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.<\/p>\n
Both charges are gross misdemeanors under Minnesota DWI law. More information on Minnesota DWI statutes is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes<\/a>.<\/p>\n The complaint alleges two aggravating factors. It cites prior DWI convictions in Anoka County in 2022 and Sherburne County in 2018.<\/p>\n Under the complaint, each charge carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.<\/p>\n Online case information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>. Cass County public safety information is available through the Cass County Sheriff\u2019s Office<\/a>.<\/p>\n All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n
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