Bismarck, ND — A 44-year-old man from Moorhead, Minnesota, was arrested on December 17 after allegedly assaulting a North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) trooper during a DUI arrest in Fargo. The incident occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. in a parking lot located at 2535 23rd Avenue South.
According to a press release from the NDHP, the trooper had initially stopped the vehicle, suspecting the driver of operating while intoxicated. The man was also reported to have children present in the vehicle at the time of the stop. As the trooper attempted to arrest the man, he reportedly began kicking at the officers and struck one of the troopers multiple times. The suspect continued to resist and threatened the officers as they struggled to take him into custody.
The trooper who was struck sustained minor injuries and was treated at Essential Hospital in Fargo. After a brief struggle, the man was successfully placed in a patrol car and transported to the Cass County Jail.
The suspect now faces a range of charges, including three misdemeanors: driving under the influence (DUI), DUI refusal, and driving under revocation. Additionally, he is facing felony charges for resisting arrest, assaulting a peace officer, and terrorizing.
The incident underscores the dangers law enforcement officers encounter while handling DUI-related stops, especially when children are involved. The NDHP did not release the identities of the suspect or the trooper involved, but confirmed that the injured officer was expected to recover fully.
The case remains under investigation, and the man is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
