Lakeville Resident Charged with Felony DWI After Allegedly Running Red Light, Recording Nearly Twice the Legal Alcohol Limit
Published: July 28, 2026
LAKEVILLE, MINNESOTA: A Lakeville resident with three prior impaired driving convictions in just over two years is now facing new felony charges after police say he was caught driving a U-Haul van while intoxicated Sunday night.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court, Tamesgen Michael Hiabu, 25, of Lakeville, has been charged with two counts of First-Degree Driving While Impaired (DWI) and one count of Driving After Cancellation Inimical to Public Safety following a traffic stop on July 26, 2026.
The charges were filed on July 27, 2026, in Dakota County District Court.
Traffic Stop Began After Alleged Traffic Violations
According to the complaint, at approximately 9:02 p.m., a Lakeville police officer on patrol observed a U-Haul van allegedly run a red light and cut off another vehicle.
The officer followed the van and reportedly observed several additional traffic violations, including:
Crossing over the center line
Weaving within its lane
Traveling 42 mph in a 30 mph zone
The officer then initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver as Hiabu.
Signs of Impairment Observed
Court documents state the responding officer noticed Hiabu had bloodshot, watery eyes and detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from him.
According to the complaint, Hiabu admitted he had consumed two beers before driving.
Police administered Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), during which officers reportedly observed multiple indicators of impairment.
A preliminary breath test (PBT) allegedly measured Hiabu's blood alcohol concentration at 0.182, more than twice Minnesota's legal limit of 0.08.
Hiabu was then transported to the Lakeville Police Department, where he was read the Minnesota Breath Test Advisory. After being given an opportunity to consult with an attorney, he agreed to provide an evidentiary breath sample.
According to prosecutors, that breath test recorded an alcohol concentration of 0.14 at approximately 11:02 p.m.
Multiple Prior DWI Convictions
Prosecutors allege this is Hiabu's fourth impaired driving offense since 2024.
The complaint states he has the following prior DWI convictions within the past ten years:
May 3, 2024: Misdemeanor DWI
July 14, 2025: Gross misdemeanor DWI
August 1, 2025: Gross misdemeanor DWI
According to court records, Hiabu was still serving probation for two of those prior convictions at the time of the latest arrest.
License Was Allegedly Canceled
Authorities also allege Hiabu was driving despite having his driver's license canceled as inimical to public safety, one of Minnesota's most restrictive driver's license sanctions imposed on repeat impaired drivers.
The complaint further states Hiabu has a prior conviction for Driving After Cancellation Inimical to Public Safety dating to July 22, 2025.
Charges Filed
Hiabu is charged with:
First-Degree Driving While Impaired (.08 or More) (Three or More Prior Impaired Driving Incidents) — Felony
First-Degree Driving While Impaired (Under the Influence of Alcohol) (Three or More Prior Impaired Driving Incidents) — Felony
Driving After Cancellation Inimical to Public Safety — Gross Misdemeanor
Under Minnesota law, each felony DWI count carries a potential sentence of three to seven years in prison and substantial fines if convicted.
Prosecutors Cite Ongoing Public Safety Concerns
In seeking bail conditions, prosecutors argued Hiabu presents a continuing public safety risk due to what they describe as a pattern of impaired driving despite prior convictions, probation supervision, and the cancellation of his driving privileges.
Court documents state:
"Despite being on probation and being cancelled inimical to public safety, Defendant continues [to] drink and drive creating a significant public safety risk."
Prosecutors requested bail be set at $50,000 without conditions, or $40,000 with conditions. The judge ultimately set bail at $40,000 without conditions and $30,000 with conditions. As of the writing of this article, Hiabu has not posted bail and remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail.
Presumption of Innocence
The charges against Hiabu are allegations contained in a criminal complaint. As with all criminal defendants, he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Pictured: Tamesgen Michael Hiabu. Provided by the Dakota County Jail.
Written by: Will Wight
