Your complainant has reviewed police reports relating to the above-named defendant and the allegations contained herein. Based upon that information, complainant believes the following to be true and correct. On November 3, 2205, there were two reports of a driving complaint of the same vehicle, which was described as a PT Cruiser that was northbound on I-35 in Pine County, MN. The vehicle was described to be at a high speed and erratic driving. It was described to have hit cones in the construction area in Hinckley and to have exited I-35 in Hinckley.
Minnesota State Trooper Tim Vaagenes responded to the call and located the vehicle at the Kwik Trip lot in Hinckley and observed a Pine County Sheriff's Office squad and a Mille Lacs Tribal Police squad out with the matching PT Cruiser. The PT Cruiser was registered to Zachary Thomaslee Pinotti, [DOB REDACTED], hereinafter referred to as "Defendant." Trooper Vaagenes approached the PT Cruiser and observed a male in the driver's seat. The deputy advised the male to step out of the car and stand to the rear of his car.
Trooper Vaagenes observed two open containers inside the vehicle with one being in the center console and one on the floor directly behind the passenger seat. A later search revealed the container in the center console was a Cutwater Long Island Iced Tea that showed it was 13% alcohol by volume. The can was cold to the touch and approximately 3/4 full. On the passenger seat within arms reach of the driver's seat, Trooper Vaagenes located the keys to the PT Cruiser. Trooper Vaagenes spoke with the driver and verbally identified him as the registered owner.
As Trooper Vaagenes spoke with Defendant, Trooper Vaagenes observed Defendant to have bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech and Trooper Vaagenes could smell an odor of alcohol. Defendant initially stated that he had drank three "cut waters" that were in his vehicle and he described them as being 8% alcohol. Defendant stated he had the first two approximately two hours earlier and finished the last one approximately 45 minutes earlier. Defendant initially stated he was coming from his girlfriend's house 4 miles away but quickly corrected himself and stated that he was coming from Forest Lake and admitted to being on I-35. Defendant seemed confused as he was trying to describe where he came from.
Defendant admitted to hitting cones on I-35 as he stated he was looking at his phone. Defendant stated he may have had four drinks, but stated one of the drinks was in the morning. Defendant was hard to understand and he would get upset and start yelling and then calm down and be cooperative. Defendant continued to voluntarily speak and had a lot to say. Defendant agreed to participate in field sobriety testing. During each of the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, the Walk and Turn, and the One Leg Stand tests, Trooper Vaagenes observed multiple indicators of intoxication.
