On May 27, 2026, at approximately 11:47PM Officer Miranda of the Chaska Police Department was on patrol near Hwy 41 and the bridge on 1st Street, in the city of Chaska, Carver County, Minnesota. Officer Miranda observed a Chevrolet truck with MN registration traveling at an unusual slow speed. Officer Miranda was following behind the truck maintaining a distance and his squad vehicle's speedometer registered 10mph. The vehicle then turned west on 2nd Street and then failed to signal 100 feet prior to turning as required by Minnesota law.
The vehicle then turned south onto Pine Street. Officer Miranda initiated a traffic stop and the driver of the vehicle did not pull the vehicle over to the side of the roadway and instead stopped in the intersection of Pine Street and 1st Street. Officer Miranda informed the driver through the use of his vehicle's emergency horn to pull the vehicle to the side of the roadway to avoid blocking the intersection. Officer Miranda spoke with and identified the driver as Matthew William O'Connor, [DOB REDACTED], Defendant herein.
Defendant was informed of the reason for the stop and Defendant stated that the vehicle had mechanical issues and he did not want it to break. While interaction with Defendant Officer Miranda observed Defendant's eyes were red and glassy, and his pupils were constricted. While speaking Defendant appeared stiff, moved his hands in an unusual manner, and frequently gripped the steering wheel showing difficulty remaining still. Defendant went to hand Officer Miranda his insurance card but when Officer Miranda reached for it Defendant pulled the card back and said sorry.
Officer Miranda instructed Defendant to exit the vehicle multiple times before Defendant finally complied. While outside the vehicle Defendant was told that Officer Miranda had observed signs of recent drug use and impairment. Defendant denied consuming alcohol or any drugs. When asked about the signs that were observed Defendant stated his body hurt. Defendant agreed to perform field sobriety tests. During HGN test Defendant had to be told to open his eyes several times. Lack of smooth pursuit was observed in both eyes.
During the test Defendant got really stiff and Officer Miranda observed unusual jaw movements. During the modified romberg Defendant estimated 30 seconds in 22 seconds indicating his internal clock was fast. During this test Officer Miranda observed Defendant to have eyelid tremors in both eyes and Defendant was clenching his left hand into a fist. Defendant performed the walk and turn and the one legged stand test. Defendant performed poorly on each of these tests and Officer Miranda observed additional signs that support the suspicion of DWI. Defendant was arrested and brought to the local hospital.
