Complainant is Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Evan Ginter. Complainant states that on September 2, 2025, at approximately 12:26am, troopers responded to the area of Elm Creek Boulevard in the city of Maple Grove, Hennepin County, Minnesota, regarding a report of a stalled vehicle with its hazards on and the driver slumped at the wheel. Upon arrival at the vehicle, officers observed a black Kia Optima stalled on the exit ramp to Elm Creek Boulevard with its hazards on and partially blocking the lane of traffic.
Troopers made contact with the driver and identified her as RODNESHA SHONETTA OWENS [DOB REDACTED]. OWENS advised she was giving her sister a ride to Maple Grove when the vehicle ran out of gas. OWENS provided a MN ID and stated that she did not have a driver's license. When asked, OWENS denied having consumed alcohol. When speaking with OWENS, troopers observed her to have bloodshot watery eyes and were able to detect a slight odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. Troopers requested OWENS to exit the vehicle to participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) and she complied.
Once OWENS exited the vehicle, troopers continued to smell the odor of alcohol coming from her person. During SFSTs, troopers observed OWENS displayed a lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, and distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes, and displayed onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in both eyes. OWENS also participated in the walk-and-turn test and was unable to balance during the instruction phase, did not touch heel to toe multiple times, and completed an improper turn despite specific instructions on how to complete it.
Troopers again asked OWENS if she had consumed alcohol prior to driving and she stated she had "probably earlier today." OWENS admitted to drinking Titos mixed drinks around noon the previous day. Troopers requested OWENS give a PBT sample, which she agreed and provided a sample of.179 BAC. OWENS was placed under arrest and was transported to the Hennepin County Jail. During transport, OWENS was continually mumbling and asking the same repetative questions. At the Hennepin County Jail, OWENS was read a Breath Test Advisory and consented to give a sample.
OWENS provided a DMT sample of.15 BAC at 1:44am, within 2 hours of her being in physical control of the motor vehicle. OWENS has a prior impaired driving-related loss of license from a breath test refusal on September 23, 2023.
