Bemidji Man Facing Felony Fleeing, DWI Charges After Highway 89 Pursuit

Police say Alacio R. Turney of Bemidji led officers on a vehicle pursuit that began in Bemidji and continued north on Minnesota Highway 89 into the Red Lake Reservation on Jan. 24, 2026. Tribal police deployed spike strips to stop the vehicle, and Turney was taken into custody. He now faces felony fleeing-a-peace-officer and gross-misdemeanor DWI charges, along with related counts including test refusal and driving after cancellation.

Court documents filed in the case describe the pursuit and the tactics used to end it. The complaint also reports that Turney told officers he fled because he did not know what to do and was having a mental breakdown. Those statements are included in the charging documents; prosecutors must still prove the charges in court. The filing stresses that charges are allegations and not proof of guilt.

The incident has several implications for Beltrami County residents. Highway 89 is a primary route connecting Bemidji with communities on the Red Lake Reservation, and pursuits that cross jurisdictional lines can involve multiple agencies and raised risks to travelers. Tribal police involvement and the use of spike strips underscore the reality that public safety on these corridors depends on coordinated operations between city, county, and tribal law enforcement.

Beyond immediate traffic safety concerns, the case highlights broader community issues around substance use, driving safety, and crisis response. A test-refusal count and allegations of DWI suggest alcohol or drug involvement is under review. The complaint’s reference to a mental breakdown points to the intersections between behavioral health and policing that local leaders have been grappling with. Advocates and public health professionals have long pushed for expanded crisis response options that reduce risks for residents and first responders while connecting people to treatment.

Residents seeking more information can consult Beltrami County court records and Minnesota statutes governing fleeing a peace officer and DWI proceedings for details about potential penalties and next steps in the court process. Court filings will track any scheduled hearings, arraignment dates, and pretrial motions as the case proceeds.

What happens next will include court appearances and, possibly, discussion among agencies about pursuit policies and interagency coordination on Highway 89. For people who travel the Bemidji-Red Lake corridor, the episode is a reminder of road safety risks and the importance of continued attention to mental health and substance-use supports in our community.