On January 16, 2026, at approximately 2:37pm, a Trooper with the Minnesota State Patrol responded to a stalled vehicle on Interstate 35, near Highway 13, in Mendota Heights, Dakota County, Minnesota. While driving to the location, a Department of Transportation support truck employee reported that they were out with the stalled vehicle, contacted the driver, and were concerned that the driver may be impaired. Upon arrival, the Trooper exited his squad vehicle, approached the stalled vehicle, and knocked on the passenger side window but got no response.
The Trooper was unable to see inside the vehicle due to its dark window tint. The Trooper opened the front passenger door. The Trooper did not see anyone in the front two seats. The Trooper heard a noise inside the vehicle. The Trooper opened the rear passenger door and saw a male, later identified as BLIA VANG [DOB REDACTED], in the rear passenger seat. The Trooper spoke with VANG. The Trooper noticed VANG exhibited rapid and slurred speech. The Trooper, although he was unable to comprehend much of what VANG was saying, learned that VANG’s vehicle had overheated.
The Trooper noticed VANG exhibited signs of impairment, including fidgety movements and disoriented demeanor. VANG denied drug use. The Trooper asked VANG to exit. In response, VANG declined, attempted to climb into the driver’s seat with keys in his hand, and said he would try to start the vehicle. VANG eventually complied and exited the vehicle. VANG agreed to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs). VANG had difficulty paying attention while the Trooper explained the tests. The Trooper did not observe any clues of impairment on the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test.
The Trooper exhibited signs of impairment on the Walk and Turn Test. And, VANG attempted to perform the One Leg Stand test before the Trooper explained the test. VANG declined further participation in FSTs. A preliminary breath test did not reveal the presence of alcohol. The Trooper arrested VANG on suspicion of being under the influence of controlled substances. During a search of VANG’s person, the Trooper located two wallets. The Trooper searched both 3 19HA-CR-26-314 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 3/5/2026 wallets.
The Trooper located two plastic bags in one of the wallets. Each bag contained a substance. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) analyzed the substance inside one of the baggies. The BCA determined that the substance indicated for the presence of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, and weighed 0.273 grams, plus or minus 0.022 grams. The Trooper transported VANG to the hospital. Once there, the Trooper applied for and obtained a search warrant for a blood or urine sample from VANG’s person.
After the search warrant was obtained, a blood sample was collected from VANG’s person. The BCA analyzed the blood and determined that it contained amphetamine and methamphetamine.
