A 51-year-old Inver Grove Heights man has been charged in Anoka County after police say he was driving erratically through a Fridley neighborhood while under the influence of methamphetamine, with a revoked driver’s license and no proof of insurance.
Erratic Driving Report Leads to Traffic Stop
According to the criminal complaint filed October 15, 2025, in Anoka County District Court, Donovan Patrick Casey was charged with third-degree driving while impaired, driving after revocation, and failure to provide proof of insurance following a traffic stop on September 2, 2025.
At approximately 3:27 p.m., Officer B. Johnson of the Fridley Police Department was dispatched to the area of Rice Creek Boulevard NE after reports of a dark blue Chevrolet Impala “swerving around the neighborhood.” The caller described the car as driving erratically with a Wisconsin license plate.
Officer Johnson soon located the vehicle heading east on 69th Avenue NE, then north on University Avenue NE, where it reportedly ran a red light and drove on the shoulder, nearly causing an accident. The officer initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver as Casey.
Signs of Drug Use and Failed Sobriety Tests
During the stop, the officer noted that Casey’s eyes were bloodshot and his pupils constricted. When asked about drug or alcohol use, Casey claimed he hadn’t used either in over 14 years.
Field sobriety tests were conducted, including the horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk-and-turn, one-leg stand, and modified Romberg balance test. The officer reported that Casey showed clear signs of balance problems and impaired motor coordination during each test.
A preliminary breath test (PBT) registered 0.000, ruling out alcohol. Based on his condition and driving behavior, the officer suspected drug use and obtained a search warrant for a blood or urine sample.
Methamphetamine Confirmed in Blood Test
Casey agreed to a blood draw, which was conducted around 4:30 p.m. that same day. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension later reported that Casey’s sample tested positive for 0.040 mg/L of amphetamine and 0.39 mg/L of methamphetamine — levels consistent with recent drug use.
Prior DWI and Revoked License
Court records included in the complaint show that Casey’s Minnesota driver’s license was revoked following a prior alcohol-related incident in 2020. The revocation was issued on July 8, 2020, and a conviction was recorded on October 30, 2023.
As of the September 2025 incident, his license remained revoked, and he did not provide proof of insurance for the vehicle.
Charges and Potential Penalties
Casey faces the following charges:
- Third-Degree DWI — Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance (Gross Misdemeanor, up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine*)
- Driving After Revocation (Misdemeanor, up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine*)
- Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance (Misdemeanor, up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine*)
The complaint lists Officer Travis Volk of the Fridley Police Department as the complainant and Assistant County Attorney John Lovasz as the prosecutor.
A summons has been issued for Casey to appear in Anoka County District Court.
Increasing DWI Drug Cases
Law enforcement agencies across Anoka County have reported a steady rise in drug-impaired driving arrests, often involving methamphetamine or prescription stimulants. Unlike alcohol-related cases, where breath tests can confirm intoxication immediately, drug cases rely on laboratory testing — often taking weeks for confirmation.
The Fridley Police Department has emphasized that erratic or unsafe driving behavior remains the most common indicator of impairment, regardless of the substance involved.
Casey remains out on summons and is expected to make his first court appearance in the coming weeks.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based solely on verified information contained in an Anoka County criminal complaint filed October 15, 2025.
