Minnesota trooper assaulted making DWI arrest

DORSET, Minn. (AP) — A state trooper is recovering after she was assaulted while trying to make a DWI arrest in northern Minnesota.

The State Patrol says Trooper Darcy Gagnon stopped a 26-year-old Akeley man on Highway 34 early Saturday. As Gagnon tried to handcuff the suspect, he hit her on the head with the trooper’s Taser.

The complaint says suspect Elijah Lee Knowles put the stun gun to Gagnon’s head and pulled the trigger, but the safety was on. Knowles then tried to take the trooper’s sidearm, but was unable to get her gun.

When deputies arrived, Knowles fled at speeds exceeding 100 mph. He was arrested after trying to ram two squad cars and crashing his car.

Knowles faces felony assault charges. Gagnon needed staples to close her head wound.