Sentencing For Rochester Woman Who Crashed Into City Building

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Rochester woman who crashed into a city government building after leading police on a chase last year is being given a chance to avoid prison.

Thirty-six-year-old Megan Elizabeth Swanstrom entered into a plea agreement late last year and admitted to felony charges of obstructing the legal process and DWI. In exchange, a felony fleeing police crime charge, along with a felony assault and a misdemeanor domestic assault charge from a separate incident, were dismissed.

Wild Police Pursuit Through Construction Zone

According to court documents, Swanstrom was arrested on the night of April 3 after the pickup truck she was driving crashed through the glass doors at the Rochester Development Services and Infrastructure Center next to the Northwest Rochester Police Precinct headquarters at 4001 W. River Parkway. The crash ended a slow-speed pursuit that began around 7:30 that evening after an officer on patrol witnessed the pickup truck rear-end another vehicle in a construction zone along North Broadway.

Drove Into Oncoming Traffic

The criminal complaint states that Swanstrom failed to stop and drove around construction cones into the opposing lane of traffic, causing other drivers to slam on their brakes. The officer then activated the squad car's emergency lights, and Swanstrom responded by driving over the median onto a closed section of North Broadway, causing the front left tire on her pickup to go flat.

Get our free mobile app

Crashed Into Another Vehicle

The pursuit then continued west on Elton Hills Drive and north on West River Parkway, where the court document indicates the pickup was seen swerving into oncoming traffic and colliding with another vehicle. It also says another motorist had to drive completely over the curb to avoid a head-on collision before Swanstrom left the road and continued traveling on the sidewalk.

Roadblock Set Up

At that point, the criminal complaint says Rochester police attempted to block traffic near the intersection of 37th Street and 9th Avenue Northwest, but Swanstrom deliberately crashed into two squad cars and then smashed into the entryway of the nearby city building.

One of the arresting officers reported that she appeared to be under the influence of some type of substance. The criminal complaint includes an officer's statement that he heard her say, "I am high on meth," while she was being transferred to medical care.

Separate Assault Case

The felony assault charge filed against Swanstrom alleged that she assaulted a man with two knives in the home she shared with the victim. The criminal complaint says the victim told police he restrained Swanstrom by grabbing her wrists, but she responded by kneeing him in the groin before he managed to flee from the house.

Sentenced to Probation

Swanstrom was sentenced today to five years of probation. She was also given a stayed 12-month prison sentence that she could be ordered to serve if she fails to abide by the terms of her probation. The sentencing order also includes just under $1,600 in restitution.