Ramsey County Police Pursuit Ends In Crash
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Three people got hurt in a short police chase and crash Monday afternoon in Vadnais Heights.
A Ramsey County sheriff's deputy had pulled over an SUV near Arcade Street and County Road E.
But investigators say the driver sped off, leading to a short pursuit that ended in a crash less than 60 seconds later.
Witnesses say the SUV was moving fast, more than 80 miles per hour, when it collided with a car trying to turn onto County Road E.
The impact was so intense that the SUV slid more than 100 feet on its side.
Justin Bye said when he heard the sirens and saw flashing lights he knew the SUV was coming toward him at a high rate of speed.
"Must have been running from the law," Bye said. "All you see and hear are the sirens, and you see the jeep coming this way. All you hear is sounding like a cannon going off."
Bye said the vehicle did not stop after impact.
"He has some pretty good momentum to hit her and still slide a block," Bye said. "He was moving pretty good."
Bye and a friend ran to help the woman driving the vehicle he says was turning onto County Road E and was hit by the fleeing SUV.
"The lady was in there frantic, crying," Bye said. "She didn't know what was going on. We told her to stay calm and help is on the way."
Bye said when he looked up to see if the driver and woman inside the SUV needed help, deputies were already there.
"The officers shot through the intersection and had the guns on him," Bye said.
The driver was arrested and his passenger was taken to the hospital along with the driver of the car that was hit.
The Ramsey County Sheriff's public information officer said deputies pulled the SUV over because of suspicious activity and a traffic violation.
Bye said he believes deputies should not have been chasing someone near houses and businesses.
"Once they see they are risking bodily harm, why wouldn't you call ahead on the radio and have them block off an intersection or something," he said.
Officials say the deputies followed procedure and were doing exactly what should have been done to bring this pursuit to an end.
Everyone hurt in the crash is expected to survive their injuries.
Deputies say they did find contraband inside the SUV they were chasing.
The driver of the SUV has not been identified, but we're told he now faces felony charges.