A Minneapolis man has been charged with fleeing police and driving while intoxicated after allegedly leading officers on a pursuit during a June 26 traffic stop in Eden Prairie.
Darrin Marcel Potts, 39, was charged June 27 in Hennepin County District Court with one felony count of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, one gross misdemeanor count of refusing to submit to a chemical test, and one misdemeanor count of driving while under the influence of alcohol.
According to the criminal complaint, Eden Prairie police observed a vehicle swerving and striking lane divider lines while traveling westbound on Highway 212 near Dell Road. Officers initiated a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, later identified as Potts. They noted signs of impairment, including slurred speech and bloodshot, watery eyes, and reported a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle.
When asked to exit the car, Potts allegedly refused to cooperate, placed the vehicle in drive and fled. Officers pursued him into Carver County, where they stopped the vehicle west of Highway 101 by making intentional contact.
Potts was taken into custody. After being read the state’s breath test advisory, he refused to submit to a chemical test, the complaint states.
He made his first court appearance Monday, June 30, where Judge Carolina Lamas set bail at $40,000 with conditions or $12,000 without. Conditions of release include no driving, abstaining from alcohol and drugs, submitting to random testing, and surrendering his passport.
Potts was released early Tuesday, July 1, from Hennepin County Jail.
If convicted of the felony charge, he faces up to three years and one day in prison and a $5,000 fine.
A follow-up hearing is scheduled for July 7 at the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility in downtown Minneapolis.
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