Charles Vernon Stevens

On 3/22/2026 at 1801 hours, a Minnesota State Trooper responded to a driving complaint on southbound I- 35E near 694. The caller reported seeing a black truck (MN/TNF023) crash into the median guardrail near the I 35W/I 35E split and then leave the scene. The truck then reportedly drove to CR14 (Main St) in the city of Centerville and stopped at the Holiday gas station. There, the driver reportedly got out of the vehicle, checked for damage, got back in the vehicle, and re-entered I 35E southbound.

The Trooper initiated a traffic stop at Little Canada Rd just east of I 35E in Little Canada, Ramsey County. The truck had fresh minor damage from a crash on the driver’s side and marks on the passenger side rear door. The driver was identified as Charles Vernon STEVENS ([DOB REDACTED]). STEVENS' eyes were bloodshot and he handed the Trooper his bank card instead of his ID. STEVENS admitted that he had crashed and said he crashed with another vehicle which fled the scene. STEVENS denied hitting a wall and denied that he had been drinking.

When the Trooper pointed out that STEVENS had almost crashed a few other times, STEVENS said it was because he was “trying to mess with my GPS”. STEVENS was shaking and was tremoring throughout the interaction and his speech was stuttered. STEVENS was removed from the vehicle. He said his eyes were bloodshot because he had been crying. He then performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests (SFST's) and said he was nauseous. STEVENS’ eyes had pinpoint pupils and were not reacting to light. A PBT was administered with a result of 0.00. STEVENS was arrested and transported to Regions Hospital.

While in the hospital Stevens fell asleep several times and was twitching/jerking while he slept. Pursuant to a search warrant, at 2030 hours, a sample of STEVENS’ blood was obtained. Blood testing results are pending. During an inventory search of the vehicle, the Trooper found used needles and other drug paraphernalia as well as 121 gabapentin pills, about 13ml of suspected liquid fentanyl in a capped syringe, and suspected controlled substances that later tested positive for methamphetamine (.2 and.1 grams net weight) and crack-cocaine (.14 grams net weight) STEVENS declined a formal interview.