On January 24, 2026, an officer with the South St. Paul Police Department was on patrol in Dakota County when he observed a vehicle get into a left turn lane, stop in the middle of an intersection, and then turn right. The officer followed the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, and the vehicle proceeded to accelerate up to approximately 85 mph in a 40 mph zone. The vehicle eventually pulled into a parking lot. The officer gave commands to the driver, Daniel Yenukoa Ali [DOB REDACTED], “Defendant” herein, to exit the vehicle.
Defendant refused to cooperate with the officer’s demands. Additional officers arrived on scene and were eventually successful in getting Defendant out of the vehicle. Defendant was placed under arrest and the officer immediately observed a strong odor of alcohol. Defendant displayed bloodshot watery eyes, had slurred speech, and refused to perform field sobriety testing or provide a PBT sample. An inventory search of the vehicle revealed 10 empty shooters of rum in the center console, on the passenger seat, and on the floorboard.
Defendant was transported to the South St. Paul Police Department. The officer read Defendant the Minnesota Breath Test Advisory, and Defendant claimed he did not understand. The officer explained the advisory to Defendant multiple times, asking Defendant whether or not he would submit to a breath test. Defendant eventually told the officer he would not be answering the question. Defendant has at least three prior DWI convictions within the past 10 years.
