On April 12, 2026, Otter Tail County Sheriff's Deputy Kelby Jensen was stationary at a red light at an intersection in Perham, Otter Tail County. He observed a three-wheel motorcycle across the intersection facing his direction waiting for the same red light. When the light turned green, the motorcycle accelerated rapidly, causing the tires to skid toward the center of the roadway before regaining control. Deputy Jensen followed the vehicle and again observed it come to a red light and rapidly accelerate in a dangerous manner.
Deputy Jensen activated his lights to initiate a traffic stop and the vehicle braked, but then continued to drive and turned into an apartment complex and drove into a garage stall. Deputy Jensen approached and identified the driver as David Allan Thrash, [DOB redacted], the Defendant herein. Deputy Jensen observed Defendant to have a large bulge in his jacket pocket and to be angling away from him so he conducted a pat search and located a cold, unopened can of beer. Defendant said he had been coming from a friend's place and initially denied having anything to drink, then admitted to having one beer before leaving the friend's place.
Defendant said that he just purchased the motorcycle so it was not yet in his name or insured. Deputy Jensen ran the Defendant's information and observed that his driving status was listed as cancelled - inimical to public safety. Deputy Jensen approached Defendant again and detected the odor of alcohol coming from him. He asked Defendant to remove his sunglasses and observed him to have watery eyes. Deputy Jensen asked Defendant to complete field sobriety testing which indicated signs of impairment.
Defendant completed a preliminary breath test that indicated a.13. Defendant was placed under arrest and transported to the Ottertail Operations Center. While en route, Defendant became extremely angry and belligerent; swearing at Deputy Jensen, making comments that he would be watching for Deputy Jensen and Deputy Jensen would need to look over his shoulder, rattling the squad cage and attempting to rip the camera off of its mount, and then urinating in the back of the squad vehicle. At the Operations Center, the Defendant was read the MN Breath Test Advisory and given time to contact an attorney.
When asked if he would complete a breath test the Defendant said no. Deputy Jensen then applied for and was granted a search warrant for a sample of the Defendant's blood or urine. He presented the search warrant to the Defendant and Defendant refused both options. The Defendant was previously convicted of first degree driving while impaired on 12/13/2018 in Clay County Court File No. 14-CR-18-594. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 609.49., intentional failure to appear for duly scheduled court appearances may result in additional criminal charges, and in addition to any arrest warrant that may otherwise be issued by the Court.
