A late-night police pursuit that started in Bloomington is now tied to a violent Jan. 24 crash at Cedar Avenue and 160th Street West in Apple Valley, where four people riding in a Nissan Altima were sent to the hospital and a fleeing driver ended the night in handcuffs.
Two Altima occupants were reported with possibly critical injuries and two with minor injuries, while the SUV driver was taken into custody after a hospital evaluation. Investigators have asked prosecutors to weigh potential criminal charges connected to both the chase and the intersection collision.
Officer says he clocked dark SUV at about 80 mph
According to a Bloomington police commander, the incident began when a dark SUV blew past his unmarked squad on Highway 77 (Cedar Avenue) near 140th Street at an estimated 80 mph. The officer reported switching on a spotlight, then activating emergency lights to pull the vehicle over.
The SUV briefly disappeared from the officer’s view, but the squad’s camera recorded the initial speeding violation, according to public crash and incident logs maintained by Bloomington Police.
Red-light run, hard impact at Cedar and 160th
Apple Valley officers at the crash scene reported that the fleeing vehicle, identified as a 2017 Honda CR-V, ran the red light at Cedar Avenue and 160th Street West and slammed into a 2015 Nissan Altima that was heading east through the intersection on a green.
Limitless Media News, which reviewed Apple Valley and Bloomington police reports, says the CR-V suffered heavy damage along the passenger side, including the loss of a rear passenger-side tire. The Altima was left with severe front-end damage, and multiple airbags fired in both vehicles.
Witnesses told officers they clearly saw the Altima’s signal was green at the time of impact. Responders documented wreckage consistent with a high-speed crash in the middle of the intersection. One Altima back-seat passenger was reported to have suffered a broken sternum and rib, according to the reporting.
Four hospitalized, fleeing driver booked after hospital check
Apple Valley Fire Department crews and Allina Health medics took all four Altima occupants to area hospitals. Two were listed as possibly critical and two as having minor injuries, according to the coverage.
The driver of the Honda CR-V was transported to Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville with suspected minor injuries. After medical clearance, she was booked into the Bloomington Police Department, according to records released by Bloomington Police.
Investigators documented statements from the suspect in which she admitted fleeing and said she had been driving to Iowa, according to those reports.
Prosecutors weighing possible criminal charges
Bloomington police have asked the Dakota County Attorney’s Office to review the case, and prosecutors are being asked to consider three counts of criminal vehicular operation for gross negligence causing great bodily harm, along with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and reckless driving.
As reported by Limitless Media News, the Dakota County Attorney’s Office says it is still reviewing the file and has not yet filed charges.
The case remains under review. This story will be updated if prosecutors announce charges or if agencies release additional records. We have requested comment from Bloomington officials and the Dakota County Attorney’s Office and will add any responses when they arrive.
