Minneapolis Man is Facing Felony Charges Following High-Speed Police Chase Sunday Morning

Dec 17

BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA – A 62-year-old Minneapolis man, David James Appling, is facing felony fleeing charges following allegations of a high-speed police pursuit that began in Rosemount, Minnesota and ended in Burnsville, Minnesota.

High-Speed Pursuit and Arrest

According to the criminal complaint from the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at approximately 12:35 a.m., Rosemount police were dispatched to a hit-and-run accident at a residence on Birnamwood Trail. From debris left at the scene, police identified the vehicle as a red Ford pickup truck that had reportedly crashed into a fence. Shortly after, around 12:45 a.m., officers with the Inver Grove Heights police received a complaint about a red Ford truck driving erratically on Akron Avenue, later identified by the license plate HUM706. It was reported that the truck was driving in the ditch at around 12 mph, going toward oncoming traffic.

Officers responded to the area, and the heavily damaged truck was located traveling without headlights westbound on Cliff Road near Dunberry Lane in Eagan, Minnesota. The officer observed the vehicle driving westbound on Cliff in both lanes of traffic at around 15 mph before eventually moving to the shoulder. The officer then attempted to get the driver’s attention and stop the vehicle by turning on its siren, but that did nothing. They waited for additional backup since the officer was in an unmarked squad. Before backup arrived, Appling allegedly began to accelerate. Based on the recent reports, the officer attempted a PIT maneuver to end the pursuit as quickly as possible, but the first attempt was unsuccessful. Appling then allegedly increased his speed, reaching speeds near 70 mph. A second PIT was attempted and unsuccessful, and the pursuit continued with Appling allegedly briefly traveling into oncoming traffic before correcting.

Additional police units joined the pursuit, and an officer was preparing to execute another third PIT when Appling once again traveled into oncoming eastbound Cliff Road traffic while traveling westbound on Cliff Road near Highway 13. The criminal complaint states that Appling continued westbound in the eastbound lanes, officers turned off their lights and sirens, and returned to regular traffic speeds due to unsafe conditions. Once Appling returned to the correct lane of travel, an officer executed a third PIT, but that was once again unsuccessful. Appling allegedly continued westbound on Cliff Road before the vehicle struck a power line pole near River Ridge Boulevard in front of the Walmart around 1 a.m. The crash resulted in the pole snapping in half, which caused the power lines to fall on the truck.

A perimeter was set up around the vehicle, with Appling exiting the truck on his own, unharmed, and he was taken into custody. Shortly after, the truck caught fire due to fallen power lines but was extinguished once the area was secured. Officers confirmed that Appling had multiple active warrants during his arrest.

Charges Related to the Pursuit

On December 17, 2024, Appling appeared in court and was charged with Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle under Minnesota Statute 609.487.3, a felony punishable by up to three years and one day in prison and/or a fine of $1,500 to $5,000.

Amended Sentencing for Prior Cases

On December 17, 2024, Appling also faced sentencing concerning probation violations from previous offenses he had pleaded guilty to. The amended sentencing for those probation violations follows:

Harassment (Pattern of Stalking Conduct): Convicted and sentenced to 48 months in prison with credit for 132 days served.
Controlled Substance Crime in the Third Degree (Possession): Convicted and sentenced to 57 months in prison with credit for 134 days served.

These sentences stem from offenses dating back to March 2021. Charges for Domestic Assault by Strangulation were dismissed as part of his plea deals.

Total Prison Time

Appling is currently set to serve his sentences consecutively, amounting to over eight years of incarceration, with the possibility of supervised release for the final third of each sentence. This time does not include his current charges for felony fleeing. As with all cases, charges are allegations, and Appling remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Updates will be provided as the case progresses.