Minneapolis Man Charged After High-Speed Pursuit on I-35 in Dakota County
UPDATE - 4 PM on April 23, 2025: A 22-year-old Minneapolis man is facing a felony charge after allegedly leading law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit through Dakota County on Monday afternoon.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol and a criminal complaint filed by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, the incident began around 1:00 p.m. on April 21, 2025, when a State Trooper observed a BMW 335 traveling 95 miles per hour in a 65 mph zone near southbound I-35W and Blackdog Road in Burnsville.
The trooper activated the emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to do so. Instead, the BMW fled at speeds of up to 130 miles per hour, weaving through traffic and using the shoulder of the road to pass other vehicles. The trooper discontinued the pursuit shortly after due to safety concerns.
A visual site of the vehicle was eventually lost as it traveled into an area no longer accessible by camera. A combination of additional law enforcement agencies and a few tips from the public allowed law enforcement to spot the vehicle once again. The vehicle eventually got back on northbound I-35 toward Lakeville from Elko New Market. The vehicle cut through a median at 185th Street West before going back northbound on I-35 where he ended up blowing a tire. The pursuit eventually ended when the vehicle exited the highway at County Road 50 (Kenwood Trail), and stopped in the driveway of a business along Kenwood Trail located just east of I-35. A high-risk stop was executed, and two individuals were taken into custody without incident.
According to the criminal complaint, during questioning, the driver admitted to fleeing because he was scheduled to appear in court later this week in Hennepin County and did not want to receive another ticket. A search of the Department of Vehicle Services database confirmed that his driver’s license was currently suspended.
They were formally charged with Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle, a felony offense under Minnesota Statute 609.487, subdivision 3. The charge carries a maximum sentence of over three years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
Court records indicate a $5,000 bond on April 23 and will be released under conditions set by the court. His next hearing is scheduled for July 9, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in Dakota County District Court in Hastings.
The Lakeville Police Department and the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the pursuit and arrest.
ORIGINAL STORY - DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA—A Minnesota State Trooper saw a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on southbound I-35W near Burnsville, Minnesota, Monday afternoon. The vehicle would end up fleeing from the Trooper, leading to a high-speed pursuit through Burnsville, Lakeville, Elko New Market, and along I-35 before eventually coming to an end without injuries in Lakeville, Minnesota.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the incident began at approximately 1:05 p.m. when a trooper attempted to stop a BMW 335 for speeding in the area of southbound I-35W and County Road 46. The driver refused to pull over, leading to a brief pursuit. Due to heavy traffic in the area, the trooper decided to discontinue the chase for safety reasons. Using cameras, the State Patrol was able to continue to monitor the vehicle as additional units came into the area.
A visual site of the vehicle was eventually lost as it traveled into an area no longer accessible by camera. A combination of additional law enforcement agencies and a few tips from the public allowed law enforcement to spot the vehicle once again. The vehicle eventually got back on northbound I-35 toward Lakeville from Elko New Market. The pursuit eventually ended when the vehicle exited the highway at County Road 50 (Kenwood Trail), and stopped in the driveway of a business along Kenwood Trail located just east of the highway. The driver was quickly taken into custody without further incident, and the passenger of the vehicle was also detained.
The Minnesota State Patrol has identified the driver as a 22-year-old from Minneapolis, who was arrested on suspicion of fleeing police in a motor vehicle. No injuries or crashes were reported during the incident.
The Lakeville Police Department and the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the response. The investigation remains ongoing.
Written by: Will Wight
