That on June 13, 2026 at approximately 00:50 hours, a Minnesota State Patrol Tropper was dispatched to the area of northbound 35W near Broadway Street NE in Golden Valley, Hennepin County, Minnesota, on the report of a single vehicle crash. The crash had been reported by a passing witness. Once in the area, the Trooper observed the vehicle involved was in the ditch/shoulder area. The Trooper observed the vehicle had moderate damage on the driver’s side of the front fender and door from the impact with a traffic sign.
The Trooper also observed the vehicle's front axle was disabled and the Trooper noticed tire spins indicating that the driver attempted to leave the crash scene by attempting to drive out of the ditch area. The vehicle owner, James Jerome Armstrong [DOB REDACTED], "Defendant" herein, was located next to the vehicle upon the Trooper’s arrival. Defendant admitted driving and being involved in a crash. In speaking with Defendant, the Trooper observed Defendant had bloodshot eyes. The Trooper also noted a moderate chemical odor coming from Defendant’s clothing items.
The Trooper knows this same odor is often emitted from a burned street drug similar to methamphetamine and/or fentanyl. The Trooper also observed Defendant’s overall appearance was depressed with slow response reflexes, that Defendant exhibited droopy eyes with his head also drifting down involuntarily, and that his speech was delayed and slightly slurred. The officer asked Defendant to perform field sobriety tests, which he was unable to satisfactorily perform. A preliminary breath test indicated an alcohol concentration of 0.000 BAC. Defendant was placed under arrest for DWI. The vehicle was searched and later towed.
In a search of the vehicle, the Trooper located two propane torches and a few lighters in the vehicle. Inside the glovebox, the Trooper located a silver brass knuckle with a knife blade attached. The Trooper obtained a search warrant for Defendant’s blood sample, which was executed at a local hospital. Additional charge(s) may be forthcoming pending the results from testing of this sample. In booking Defendant at the Hennepin County Jail in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, an intake deputy located a plastic baggie containing a white crystal substance in Defendant’s sock.
Defendant noted to deputies that the substance was meth. The substance later field-tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed approximately 0.28 gram without packaging. Defendant has a prior Chapter 152 conviction in court file number ••-VB-18-••••••. Defendant is currently in custody.
