Published: November 9th 2026
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS MN: A 35-year-old man is facing two gross misdemeanor driving while impaired (DWI) charges after authorities reported observing his vehicle enter a ditch along Highway 52 in Inver Grove Heights on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County, Jairo Marcos Cruz Ramos was arrested after a Minnesota State Patrol trooper responded to reports of a vehicle driving erratically.
At approximately 7:17 p.m., Trooper Schwerzler received a driving complaint involving a vehicle reportedly swerving across the roadway, braking inconsistently, traveling at unusually slow speeds, and striking a median.
Dispatchers subsequently located the vehicle using traffic cameras and observed it enter a ditch along southbound Highway 52 near Concord Boulevard in Inver Grove Heights, according to the complaint.
When the trooper arrived, the vehicle was stopped on the shoulder, and a man was leaning against it. Dispatchers advised the trooper that they had observed the driver exit the vehicle as the trooper arrived.
The driver was identified as Cruz Ramos.
According to the complaint, the trooper detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from Cruz Ramos and observed that his eyes were bloodshot and watery. The trooper also reported that Cruz Ramos had difficulty maintaining his balance and nearly fell when not leaning against something.
The trooper attempted to administer a field sobriety test but was unable to complete it. Due to a language barrier and concerns about Cruz Ramos' balance, additional physical sobriety tests were not conducted.
Cruz Ramos agreed to provide a preliminary breath sample, which the complaint states produced a failed reading. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired.
Following his arrest, Cruz Ramos was read Minnesota's Breath Test Advisory and agreed to submit to an evidentiary breath test.
According to the complaint, the test indicated an alcohol concentration of 0.22 at approximately 8:45 p.m., more than twice Minnesota's legal driving limit of 0.08.
Cruz Ramos has been charged with two gross misdemeanor offenses:
Driving While Impaired — Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol, under Minnesota Statute 169A.20, subdivision 1(1).
Driving While Impaired — Alcohol Concentration of 0.08 or More Within Two Hours of Driving, under Minnesota Statute 169A.20, subdivision 1(5).
Both charges are classified as gross misdemeanors under Minnesota Statute 169A.26. Each carries a maximum potential penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
The allegations outlined in the criminal complaint have not been proven in court. Cruz Ramos is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.