{"id":72006,"date":"2026-11-06T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/?p=72006"},"modified":"2026-11-06T06:22:11","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T12:22:11","slug":"thief-river-falls-man-charged-with-felony-dwi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/thief-river-falls-man-charged-with-felony-dwi\/","title":{"rendered":"Thief River Falls Man Charged With Felony DWI"},"content":{"rendered":"

THIEF RIVER FALLS, MN<\/strong> (trfnews.i234.me<\/a>) \u2013 A 37-year-old Thief River Falls man faces a felony DWI charge after a state trooper reported dangerous driving and signs of alcohol impairment.<\/p>\n

Ryan Adam Benoit, 37, was arrested following a traffic stop near Highway 32 and Sanford Parkway on October 26, 2026, at approximately 11:05 p.m.<\/p>\n

According to the criminal complaint, Benoit recorded a blood alcohol concentration of 0.16 during an evidentiary breath test.<\/p>\n

Trooper Reports Erratic Driving on Highway 32<\/h2>\n

The incident began when a Minnesota State Patrol trooper encountered an oncoming pickup on Highway 32, north of St. Hilaire.<\/p>\n

The trooper believed the vehicle might enter his lane before the driver sharply turned to navigate a curve.<\/p>\n

After turning around, the trooper reportedly observed the pickup weaving within its lane and traveling 73 mph.<\/p>\n

The trooper stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Highway 32 and Sanford Parkway.<\/p>\n

Benoit was identified as the driver. Two passengers, an adult man and a 17-year-old girl, were also inside the pickup.<\/p>\n

Strong Alcohol Odor Raises Suspicion<\/h2>\n

While speaking with Benoit, the trooper reportedly noticed several signs of alcohol impairment.<\/p>\n

According to the complaint, a strong odor of consumed alcohol came from Benoit and the pickup’s interior.<\/p>\n

When questioned, Benoit allegedly admitted drinking a little alcohol and acknowledged he might have consumed too much.<\/p>\n

However, he reportedly said he was unsure how much he had consumed.<\/p>\n

Benoit subsequently failed field sobriety testing, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n

\"Ryan<\/a>
Ryan Adam Benoit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Breath Tests Show 0.159 and 0.16 BAC<\/h2>\n

A preliminary breath test reportedly showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.159.<\/p>\n

A later DMT breath test produced a result of 0.16 BAC.<\/p>\n

That is twice Minnesota’s standard legal driving limit of 0.08.<\/p>\n

During the investigation, Benoit reportedly told the trooper he could not remember how many Smirnoff Red, White and Blue alcoholic beverages he had consumed.<\/p>\n

A search of the pickup allegedly revealed three cans of the beverage:<\/p>\n