On or about October 31, 2025, at approximately 11:48 P.M., a Minnesota State Trooper was on patrol in the area of I‐94 westbound and 42nd Avenue north, in the City of Minneapolis, County of Hennepin, State of Minnesota, when the trooper observed a vehicle in the lane ahead weave over the lane line on the left, activate their turn signal, and then conduct a lane change to the left. After the completion of the lane change, the vehicle weaved over the left lane line. As the trooper got closer to the vehicle, the trooper observed the vehicle as a Honda (MN Plate: [PLATE REDACTED]). The trooper conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle.
The trooper approached on the passenger side and noted one occupant. The trooper attempted to get the driver, later identified as April Lynn Heckard [DOB REDACTED], Defendant herein, to roll down the passenger side window. While Defendant was attempting to roll down the window, the trooper observed Defendant to have slow motor movement and was having trouble figuring out how to roll down the window. As the trooper stood at the passenger window, the trooper began to smell the odor of alcohol emanating from inside the vehicle.
Defendant stated she consumed one glass of wine. Defendant was asked to submit to field sobriety tests. The trooper conducted the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, where the trooper observed clues of impairment. During this test, the trooper continued to smell the odor of alcohol emanating from Defendant. Defendant declined to participate in the other tests. Defendant provided a breath sample for the preliminary breath test (PBT), which showed an alcohol concentration of 0.197. Defendant was placed under arrest for DWI. Defendant was transported to Hennepin County Jail.
The trooper read Defendant the Motor Vehicle Breath Test Advisory. Defendant indicated she understood and that she wanted to consult an attorney. Defendant attempted to contact different attorneys, and nobody answered. Defendant then sat in the chair, reading the phone book, but made no attempts to utilize the phone. The trooper concluded Defendant’s attorney time as Defendant was not attempting to contact an attorney. Defendant was asked Defendant if she would take the breath test, and Defendant stated, “without legal representation, no.” Defendant was deemed to have refused the test.
Defendant has one qualified prior driving while impaired conviction within the last 10 years: a conviction from 05/24/2023, as reflected in 27‐CR‐22‐22043.
