A 16-year-old boy from Minneapolis was charged last week with two felonies: fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and theft by taking or driving a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent.
The charges stem from an incident on Aug. 12 in Eden Prairie and other locations, during which the teen allegedly led officers on a high-speed chase along Highway 212. Eden Prairie Local News does not publish the names of minors charged with crimes.
Based on a criminal complaint from Hennepin County’s 4th District Court, Eden Prairie police, informed by the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, were actively searching for a stolen black Kia SUV previously involved in a chase with the Minnesota State Patrol. The Kia SUV and a Toyota Camry, which was stolen from Chaska, were seen speeding east on Highway 212 as they entered Eden Prairie.
At about 9:10 a.m., officers clocked the vehicles traveling between 65 to 75 mph. When the pursuit began, speeds increased to 99 mph, and the vehicles weaved through traffic. Near the intersection of Highway 212 and Shady Oak Road, speeds reached 105 mph. The chase continued onto eastbound Highway 62 in Edina, where the vehicles narrowly avoided several collisions.
Even after using devices to try and stop them, officers couldn’t halt the fast-moving cars. Near Highway 100, one of these attempts successfully slowed down the Kia by deflating its tires. However, the Camry got away.
After the Kia’s driver lost control, the vehicle slid through a fence and collided with a tree. The crash caused the airbags to deploy, obscuring officers’ view inside. Once officers surrounded the car, all four individuals emerged from the passenger side.
Once his rights were read to him, the 16-year-old driver admitted to driving at the time of the crash. He and three juvenile passengers were evaluated at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. One of the passengers was later admitted due to injuries from the crash.
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