Arrest Made in Ramsey County Intoxicated Driver Case Involving 67-Year-Old Darlene Gette-Manzanares
On April 22, 2026, Darlene Gette-Manzanares, 67, of Devils Lake, North Dakota, faces felony charges after allegedly accelerating her vehicle while police officers were inside during a traffic stop related to suspected intoxication, an incident that underscores critical gaps in elder driver safety protocols and strained municipal resources in Ramsey County.
The arrest occurred Monday following a report of an impaired driver near the intersection of 4th Street and College Drive in Devils Lake, where officers approached Gette-Manzanares’ sedan after observing erratic lane changes. Body camera footage, later released by the Devils Lake Police Department, shows two officers attempting to engage with the driver when she suddenly pressed the accelerator, lurching forward and forcing both officers to jump clear to avoid being struck. No injuries were reported, but the act constitutes aggravated assault on a peace officer under North Dakota Century Code § 12.1-17-02, a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
“We’re seeing a troubling trend where older drivers, often managing multiple prescriptions or undiagnosed cognitive decline, find themselves in high-stress situations that escalate quickly. This isn’t just about enforcement—it’s about prevention and support.”
— Chief Marcus Tillman, Devils Lake Police Department, in a statement to the Devils Lake Journal on April 20, 2026
Ramsey County, which encompasses Devils Lake and surrounding rural communities in northeastern North Dakota, has seen a 22% increase in senior-related traffic incidents over the past five years, according to the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s 2025 Traffic Safety Report. Devils Lake, with a population of approximately 7,200, serves as a regional hub for Benson County and relies heavily on personal vehicles due to limited public transit options—a factor that complicates interventions for at-risk older drivers.
The incident raises immediate concerns about municipal readiness to address aging-in-place challenges. Devils Lake lacks a formal older driver assessment program, unlike larger cities such as Fargo or Bismarck, which partner with occupational therapists and senior centers to offer voluntary driving evaluations. Without accessible alternatives, families often face difficult conversations about license relinquishment, a process complicated by North Dakota’s lack of mandatory retesting for drivers over 65—a policy shared by 28 other U.S. States.
Legal experts note that cases like Gette-Manzanares’ often hinge on proving intent versus medical impairment. “Prosecutors must demonstrate that the acceleration was a conscious act of aggression, not a reflexive response to confusion or panic,” explains North Dakota Courts legal advisor Linda Vareberg. “If cognitive decline or medication interaction played a role, defense attorneys may pursue diminished capacity arguments, potentially reducing charges to reckless endangerment—a misdemeanor.”
Historically, Devils Lake has grappled with similar tensions between public safety and compassionate enforcement. In 2019, the city council debated—but ultimately rejected—a proposal to create a community-based older driver outreach program after concerns about stigma and funding stalled the initiative. Today, with North Dakota’s 65-and-over population projected to grow by 35% by 2030 per the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program, the need for proactive solutions is more urgent than ever.
This case highlights the essential role of specialized services in bridging public safety and community care. Families navigating these situations often turn to elder law attorneys who understand the intersection of traffic law, guardianship and healthcare directives. Simultaneously, geriatric assessment clinics can evaluate whether medications, vision loss, or early-stage dementia contributed to the incident—information vital for both legal defense and long-term care planning. For municipalities seeking to prevent future incidents, partnering with community outreach coordinators trained in senior engagement can aid design non-punitive interventions that prioritize dignity over punishment.
As Devils Lake processes this incident through its judicial system, the broader question remains: how do rural communities balance accountability with compassion when aging populations outpace infrastructure and policy? The answer may lie not in stricter penalties alone, but in investing in the very services that help older adults remain safe, independent, and connected—before a moment of panic becomes a felony charge.