Miyah Jean Kingbird is charged with gross misdemeanor DWI and misdemeanor failure to provide proof of vehicle insurance.<\/p>\n
According to a Beltrami County criminal complaint, Kingbird’s breath test showed an alcohol concentration of .20.<\/p>\n
The reading was two and a half times Minnesota’s standard legal driving limit of .08.<\/p>\n
The incident occurred September 27, 2026, in northwest Bemidji.<\/p>\n
Police Observe SUV Swerving on Bemidji Street<\/h2>\n
At approximately 2:44 a.m., Bemidji police were patrolling near 30th Street Northwest and Pine Ridge Avenue Northwest.<\/p>\n
Officers noticed a black SUV entering 30th Street from the Gatewood Apartments area.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, the SUV began making sharp movements within its lane.<\/p>\n
The vehicle reportedly crossed lane markings several times while rocking from side to side.<\/p>\n
Police then observed the SUV traveling eastbound at a high speed.<\/p>\n
Officers activated their emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop.<\/p>\n
The SUV was reportedly slow to pull over.<\/p>\n
Driver Reportedly Had No License or Insurance<\/h2>\n
Officers identified the driver as Miyah Jean Kingbird.<\/p>\n
Kingbird reportedly told police she was driving friends home after spending time together.<\/p>\n
During the stop, officers noticed several passengers in the back seat were not wearing seat belts.<\/p>\n
According to court documents, Kingbird admitted she did not have a driver’s license.<\/p>\n
She also reportedly told officers she did not have vehicle insurance.<\/p>\n
An officer began preparing a citation before another officer heard yelling from inside the SUV.<\/p>\n
The officer approached the vehicle to determine whether the occupants were safe.<\/p>\n
During that contact, the officer noticed Kingbird had bloodshot and watery eyes.<\/p>\n
Field Sobriety Tests Raise Impairment Concerns<\/h2>\n
The officer asked Kingbird to exit the SUV and participate in field sobriety testing.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, Kingbird was unable to satisfactorily complete the horizontal gaze nystagmus test.<\/p>\n
A preliminary breath test showed an alcohol concentration of .213.<\/p>\n
Police also attempted additional sobriety tests involving walking and standing on one leg.<\/p>\n
However, the officer stopped those tests because Kingbird reportedly had difficulty maintaining her balance.<\/p>\n
The complaint states the officer ended testing over safety concerns.<\/p>\n
Kingbird was then arrested and transported to the Beltrami County Jail.<\/p>\n
Jail Breath Test Shows .20 Alcohol Level<\/h2>\n
At the jail, police read Kingbird Minnesota’s breath test advisory.<\/p>\n
She initially chose to consult an attorney before deciding whether to submit to testing.<\/p>\n
According to court documents, Kingbird ended the consultation period after struggling to decide whom to call.<\/p>\n
Police then administered an evidentiary breath test at approximately 3:43 a.m.<\/p>\n
The test returned an alcohol concentration of .20.<\/p>\n
Under Minnesota law, an alcohol concentration of .16 or higher is an aggravating factor in DWI cases.<\/p>\n
Kingbird’s reported result exceeded that threshold.<\/p>\n
Two Criminal Charges Filed<\/h2>\n
Prosecutors filed two counts against Kingbird in Beltrami County District Court.<\/p>\n
Count 1:<\/strong> Gross misdemeanor DWI involving an alcohol concentration of .08 or higher with an aggravating factor.<\/p>\n The DWI charge carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.<\/p>\n Count 2:<\/strong> Misdemeanor failure to provide proof of valid vehicle insurance while operating a motor vehicle.<\/p>\n That offense carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.<\/p>\n These are maximum statutory penalties, not sentences imposed by the court.<\/p>\n The complaint also lists a separate pending traffic case involving license, insurance, and failure-to-yield allegations.<\/p>\n Those allegations remain separate from the current DWI prosecution.<\/p>\n Kingbird’s criminal case is filed under court file number 04-CR-26-2377.<\/p>\n The prosecutor’s file number is BCI-0011265.<\/p>\n The case falls under Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.<\/p>\n Readers can review Minnesota’s second-degree DWI law<\/a> and Minnesota’s vehicle insurance requirements<\/a>.<\/p>\n Additional court information may be found through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n The allegations have not been proven in court. Kingbird is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.<\/p>\n I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\nBeltrami County Court Proceedings<\/h2>\n
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