Litchfield Man Faces Multiple Charges after Crashing into a Tombstone in Local Cemetery

A Litchfield man is facing multiple charges, including two gross misdemeanors for his third DWI offense, after an incident in a local cemetery that ended with a collision into a tombstone and a struggle with law enforcement. 32-year-old Taylor Ryan Twardy has been charged with 2nd Degree DWI, 2nd Degree Test Refusal, Obstructing the Legal Process, Criminal Damage to Property, and having an Open Bottle in a vehicle.

According to the criminal complaint filed in Meeker County District Court, the incident began around 1:12 a.m. on October 26 when a Litchfield Police officer on patrol noticed a suspicious pickup truck inside the cemetery on South Sibley Avenue after visiting hours. As the officer approached, the truck’s headlights were extinguished.

The officer positioned his squad car behind the pickup and activated his emergency lights. The complaint states the truck then attempted to accelerate away with its lights still off, but it collided with a tombstone before coming to a stop.

The driver, identified as Twardy, was ordered out of the vehicle. He reportedly apologized multiple times, stating he shouldn’t be driving. The officer noted strong signs of impairment, including the odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and poor balance. Twardy admitted to drinking a “couple of beers.”

During field sobriety tests, Twardy showed significant signs of impairment and was unable to complete one test due to stumbling. He agreed to a preliminary breath test, which registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.17.

The complaint alleges that upon seeing the result, Twardy attempted to flee on foot. The officer grabbed him and took him to the ground, where Twardy continued to fight and resist arrest. Two Meeker County Sheriff’s deputies arrived and assisted in handcuffing him. A search of his truck revealed a freshly opened can of beer in the center console.

Once at the Meeker County Jail, Twardy refused to submit to a chemical breath test. Court records show Twardy has two prior DWI convictions from 2017 and 2020, which elevates his current DWI and test refusal charges to gross misdemeanors.