Nicole Lee Jesness is accused of driving while impaired on August 25, 2026.<\/p>\n
According to a criminal complaint filed in Mahnomen County District Court, Jesness nearly struck a guardrail before police stopped her.<\/p>\n
An evidentiary breath test later showed an alcohol concentration of .20.<\/p>\n
That reading was two and a half times Minnesota’s standard legal limit of .08.<\/p>\n
Officer Reports Dangerous Driving on Highway 200<\/h2>\n
The incident began around 9 p.m. as an officer traveled eastbound on Highway 200.<\/p>\n
According to court documents, the officer noticed a vehicle ahead suddenly swerving toward the road’s fog line.<\/p>\n
The vehicle continued eastbound toward a guardrail before crossing the fog line again.<\/p>\n
The officer reported that the vehicle nearly collided with the guardrail.<\/p>\n
Police activated emergency lights, and the driver pulled over.<\/p>\n
Driver Admits Phone Use and Drinking<\/h2>\n
During the traffic stop, the officer identified the driver as Nicole Lee Jesness of Bagley.<\/p>\n
The officer reportedly noticed glossy eyes, slurred speech, and difficulty speaking clearly.<\/p>\n
When questioned about her driving, Jesness acknowledged using her phone.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, Jesness also admitted drinking alcohol before driving.<\/p>\n
She reportedly said she was coming from Pinehurst.<\/p>\n
The complaint states Jesness mentioned three drinks but also described consuming two glasses of wine and two beers.<\/p>\n
Police continued the investigation after observing possible signs of impairment.<\/p>\n
Field Sobriety Tests Raise Concerns<\/h2>\n
The officer asked Jesness to perform several field sobriety tests.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, the tests revealed multiple signs of possible impairment.<\/p>\n
During the eye movement test, the officer observed indicators associated with alcohol impairment.<\/p>\n
Jesness reportedly struggled during the walk-and-turn test.<\/p>\n
She allegedly began too early, missed heel-to-toe steps, made an improper turn, and took the wrong number of steps.<\/p>\n
During the one-leg stand test, Jesness reportedly put her foot down and hopped.<\/p>\n
The complaint states she refused to provide a preliminary breath test at the roadside.<\/p>\n
Breath Test Shows .20 Alcohol Concentration<\/h2>\n
Following the field sobriety tests, police arrested Jesness on suspicion of impaired driving.<\/p>\n
She was transported to the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office for further testing.<\/p>\n
There, police read Jesness the required breath test advisory.<\/p>\n
According to court documents, she provided an evidentiary breath sample at approximately 10:04 p.m.<\/p>\n
The test returned an alcohol concentration of .20.<\/p>\n
Minnesota law considers an alcohol concentration of .16 or higher an aggravating factor in DWI cases.<\/p>\n
The reported .20 reading exceeded that threshold.<\/p>\n
Gross Misdemeanor DWI Charge Filed<\/h2>\n
Prosecutors charged Jesness with operating a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.<\/p>\n
The criminal complaint cites Minnesota Statute 169A.20, subdivision 1(5), and the penalty provision under 169A.26.<\/p>\n
The offense is classified as a gross misdemeanor because of the alleged aggravating factor.<\/p>\n
A conviction could carry up to 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.<\/p>\n
Those penalties represent the maximum punishment allowed under the cited statute, not a sentence imposed in this case.<\/p>\n
More information about the offense is available through Minnesota’s second-degree DWI law<\/a>.<\/p>\n The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 44-CR-26-530.<\/p>\n The prosecutor’s file number is 0440029900.<\/p>\n The supplied complaint does not identify a trial date or final case outcome.<\/p>\n Additional court information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n The DWI allegation has not been proven in court.<\/p>\n Jesness is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.<\/p>\n I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\nMahnomen County Court Proceedings<\/h2>\n
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