Complainant is Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Sara Evans. Complainant states that on November 25, 2023, at approximately 1:44pm, troopers responded to the area of I-494 in the city of Maple Grove, Hennepin County, Minnesota, regarding a driving conduct complaint. The reporting party advised that a beige Buick Park Avenue was swerving all over the road and the called observed the driving drinking a Budweiser beer. The calling party also provided the vehicle's license plate and State Patrol Dispatch was able to locate the vehicle on the highway cameras.
Troopers positioned themselves to intercept the vehicle and observed it driving northbound almost completely in the right shoulder of the interstate. The vehicle then changed lanes all the way to the left-most lane and crossed the left fog line. When troopers got behind the vehicle, dispatch confirmed they were behind the correct vehicle as was reported. Troopers independently observed the vehicle continue to weave in the left lane and then drift towards the right and almost collide with a vehicle in the lane over from it.
The driver then activated a turn signal but did not change lanes or do anything consistent with the turn signal. Troopers then effectuated a traffic stop. The vehicle took a significant time to pull over. Upon contact with the driver, later identified as DUSTIN JOHN COMEAU [DOB REDACTED], troopers knocked on the window but COMEAU did not roll it down. After some time, COMEAU slowly rolled the passneger side window about four or five inches. COMEAU stated something incoherent to troopers, and then exited the vehicle and walked towards troopers while smoking a cigarette.
Troopers asked if he would put the cigarette out and he threw it in the grass. COMEAU stated he was going to pick up a dog and had waited four years for a dog. When speaking with troopers, COMEAU was leaning against his vehicle. Troopers requested COMEAU to participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and he agreed. During HGN, troopers observed COMEAU display lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, however COMEAU stopped participating during the exercise and stated that he was cold. During a second attempt, troopers observed COMEAU also had distinct and sustained nystagmus and onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in both eyes.
COMEAU also had visible verticle nystagmus. During the one leg stand, COMEAU was uncooperative and seemingly attempting to not complete the test. After a brief period, COMEAU began the test and was observed putting his foot down to regain balance multiple times, used his arms for balance, and swayed while performing the test. During the walk and turn portion, COMEAU lost his balance during the instructional phase, did not touch heel to toe as instructed, and then eventually stopped the test. COMEAU attempted it for a second time and was observed not touching heel to toe, using his arms for balance, stepping off the line, and again after four steps he stopped performing the test.
