Baesler charged with DUI, care required; first court appearance March 25

Court documents released Tuesday detail the arrest of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for North Dakota, Kirsten Baesler.

According to the affidavit filed in Burleigh County District Court, North Dakota Highway Patrol officer Troy Roth was patrolling in Bismarck, when he began to follow a white 2010 Ford F150 with North Dakota plates. The vehicle was in front of the officer while he traveled westbound on the I-94 on-ramp to the interstate.

As the vehicle came to the end of the ramp, the right tires crossed the fog line. Between mile markers 159 and 157, the vehicle crossed the fog line two more times, weaving from the center line to the fog line.

Roth attempted to make a traffic stop, but the vehicle continued westbound into Mandan, where the officer continued to attempt a stop. Just east of the railroad bridge underpass, the vehicle came to a stop.

The driver was identified as Baesler, who came back to the officer’s vehicle with him, at which time Roth detected a moderate odor of alcoholic beverages coming from Baesler, whose eyes, according to the report, were watery and bloodshot, and her speech was slurred.

Baesler admitted to having three beers and agreed to the sobriety tests. She was given three—and failed all three. Baesler then refused the breath screening test, and was placed under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol and transported to the Burleigh Morton Detention Center. She also reused the chemical breath test, was cited for DUI and care required and was turned over to Corrections staff.

Baesler is due back in court on March 25 at 9:30 a.m. for an initial appearance.