On May 17, 2026, at approximately 4:27 am, an officer with the Eagan Police Department was conducting stationary speed enforcement on Highway 35, under the Highway 55 bridge. This location is within Dakota County. The officer observed a vehicle bearing MN license plate [PLATE REDACTED] traveling above the posted speed limit of 55 mph. The officer determined that the vehicle’s speed was 72 mph. The officer then pulled out behind the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. After the vehicle complied with the traffic stop, the officer conducted a passenger side approach and made contact with the driver, identified as Bryan Mantalbo Lopez [DOB REDACTED], hereinafter “Defendant,” as well as his passenger.
When he made contact the officer observed the strong smell of alcohol coming from the vehicle, as well as an open bottle of Wheatley Vodka on the passenger floorboard and a “dime bag” containing a white powdery substance sitting on the center console. The officer had Defendant pass him both the bottle of vodka and the dime bag. The officer observed that Defendant’s eyes were bloodshot and watery. The officer subsequently had Defendant step out of the vehicle to conduct standardized field sobriety testing.
The officer first had Defendant conduct the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test and observed the following indicia of impairment: 1). Lack of smooth pursuit; 2). Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes; and 3). Onset of nystagmus prior to forty-five degrees in both eyes. The officer then had Defendant conduct the Walk and Turn test and observed the following indicia of impairment: 1). Loss of balance during instructions; 2). Use of arms for balance; 3). Defendant stepping off the line he was supposed to walk; 4). An improper turn, and 5). Defendant stopping while walking.
Finally, the officer had Defendant conduct the One Leg Stand Test and observed the following indicia of impairment: 1). Swaying while balancing; and 2). Defendant putting his foot down while conducting the test. Defendant refused to provide a PBT sample on scene, was placed under arrest for DWI and transported to the Eagan police department. At the police department Defendant declined to speak with an attorney and provided a valid DMT breath test which indicated that he had a BAC of.13. This test was completed at 5:54 am.
The white powdery substance recovered from Defendant’s vehicle field tested positive for the 2 19HA-CR-26-827 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 6/11/2026 presence of fentanyl and was found to have a net weight of.36 grams.
