A Bradford Township man is facing two charges following a pursuit during the afternoon of July 10.
Ryan Paul Williamson, 28, was charged before Judge James Dehn on July 12 in Isanti County District Court in Cambridge with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and gross misdemeanor DWI. Williamson was released on his own recognizance with conditions – bail was set at $15,000 without conditions – and his next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 24.
The incident began around 3:15 p.m. July 10 in the area of Verdin Street when police radar indicated Williamson was travelling at a speed of 77 mph in a posted 55 mph zone. The first breath test given at the scene of Williamson’s arrest showed Williamson had a blood alcohol content level of 0.15. A second breath test later given at the Isanti County Jail showed a blood alcohol content level of 0.17.
Williamson’s driving record kept on file with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety shows a conviction in Ramsey County for gross misdemeanor third-degree DWI on July 30, 2012, and would constitute a second aggravating factor due to the fact that this incident was within 10 years of July 10, 2016.
According to the criminal complaint:
Isanti County Deputy Chad Meyer observed a pickup traveling northbound on Verdin Street, which caught his attention because the vehicle appeared to be speeding. Meyer activated his radar and observed the vehicle was traveling 77 mph in the posted 55 mph zone.
Meyer pursued the vehicle and radioed dispatch that the pickup was evading his squad. A pursuit of the vehicle ensued and as Meyer rounded the corner at 273rd to Lakewood Drive, he observed Isanti County Deputy Doug Barron’s squad at the next curve and observed Barron turning his squad around. As Meyer rounded the next bend he could see Barron’s squad parked partially in a driveway. As Meyer approached, he exited his squad and was able to see a single figure sitting in the driver’s seat of the pickup.
When Meyer confirmed this was the vehicle he had been pursuing, he and Barron approached the vehicle and ordered Williamson to exit the vehicle. Meyer read him the Miranda warning and Williamson agreed to speak.
Williamson said to Meyer he went to a bar at approximately 10:30 a.m. that morning where he had a bloody mary and a screwdriver and then left. He then went back to the bar and overall he stated he had consumed five to six drinks that day from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. As Williamson was speaking, Meyer could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from him. Williamson admitted he knew as Meyer turned his vehicle around on Verdin Street he was going to come after him for speeding. When asked whose residence he had pulled into, he stated he did not know.
Meyer asked Williamson to submit to field sobriety testing. A digital breath test gave a reading of 0.159 and Williamson was placed under arrest and transported to the Isanti County Jail. At the jail, Williamson was read the Minnesota Implied Consent Advisory. He stated he understood what had been read to him and agreed to take the breath test. The breath test was conducted within two hours of Williamson driving, operating or being in physical control of a motor vehicle, and the result was 0.17.