On May 3, 2026, at approximately 3:50 A.M., Officer Carter Tornio was traveling south on Highway 169 near Ataage Drive in Onamia when he observed a black 2008 Pontiac G6 drift over the west fog line. After activating his squad camera and following the vehicle, the officer saw it cross the double yellow center line, continue across the oncoming lane, and cross the east fog line toward the ditch. The officer activated his emergency lights. The vehicle turned back into the proper lane and then slowly came to a stop near Vineland Road.
The brake lights and then reverse lights remained illuminated for several seconds before the vehicle was placed in park. The traffic stop occurred within the boundaries of Kathio State Park, near the intersection of Highway 169 and Vineland Road. The officer approached and identified the driver as Uriah Quinn Smith. Smith’s eyes were bloodshot and watery. Smith said he was tired and had smoked marijuana about five hours earlier. Smith also gave inconsistent explanations of his travel route, including travel to Brainerd and Saint Cloud.
The passenger was identified as Paige Svor Sigurdsen. The officer learned through Minnesota Court Records Online that Smith had multiple prior drug and DWI- related convictions. Smith exited the vehicle upon request, and the officer recovered a knife from Smith’s pants pocket. Smith removed several items from his hoodie pocket, and the officer saw him holding a THC vaporizer. When asked, Smith confirmed it was a THC vaporizer. Smith said that if marijuana was in the vehicle, it was in his bag and described marijuana leaf in a jar.
The officer conducted standardized field sobriety tests. During these tests, Smith showed indicators of impairment, including lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, bloodshot and watery eyes, runny nose, balance issues during the one-leg stand, inaccurate internal clocking on the modified Romberg test, and using his arms for balance and failing to follow instructions on the walk-and-turn test. Smith was placed in the back of the squad, and the officer searched the vehicle. Officer Damon Schwarz arrived to assist.
Smith later appeared slumped over and drooling in the squad. Inside the vehicle, officers located multiple cell phones, a THC vaporizer, several marijuana cigarettes, prescription pill bottles with the labels removed, and pills identified as schedule II stimulants (Adderall-type). A third unmarked bottle contained small pressed pills, some partly degraded into powder. Officers also located a digital scale and unused empty baggies. A K9 sniff by K9 Layka indicated at the driver’s seat and at a backpack that contained the pill bottles and drug-related items.
Smith was advised of his Miranda rights and agreed he understood. When questioned, Smith initially said a friend must have left the pills in his vehicle and later said he placed the pills in his own bag after the friend left them at his residence. Smith said the pills were Adderall but did not explain the missing labels. Smith stated he did not have a prescription for Adderall. Smith said the scale was for weighing marijuana and the baggies were for coins. Officers arrested Smith. A search warrant for Smith’s blood or urine was obtained and signed by a judge.
