Charges: Rochester Woman Crashes While Fleeing Police Officer

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Rochester woman is facing multiple charges after crashing while trying to flee a traffic stop. 

See Also: Rochester Police Seize Ghost Gun from Teen During High-Risk Traffic Stop

That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court Thursday morning. 

The alleged fleeing incident and subsequent crash occurred in northwest Rochester Tuesday night. 

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An Rochester police officer parked along 7th St. NW around 8:30 p.m. saw a vehicle pass by with a reclined in the passenger seat and the driver leaning against the steering wheel in a rigid position. 

The complaint says the officer began following the vehicle as it turned onto southbound 11th Ave. NW. 

Rochester Woman Facing Multiple Charges After Crashing While Fleeing Police

The vehicle then turned into the Hy-Vee Barlow Parking lot and exited about 30 seconds later, running the stop sign as it turned onto northbound 11th Ave. NW, the court document says. 

The officer continued following the vehicle and observed it traveling over the 30 mph speed limit and passing other vehicles. He then activated his squad vehicle’s emergency lights from 1-2 blocks behind the suspect vehicle as it continued north on 11th Ave. NW, the charges say. 

As the vehicle approached the intersection of 11th Ave. NW/Assisi Heights Dr. NW and 14th St. NW, it accelerated, running the red light and bottoming out in the intersection, which sent sparks flying, the complaint says. 

The vehicle then struck the curb north of 14th St. NW, collided with a fence and spun out multiple times before coming to a stop. 

A witness told police the vehicle was traveling at an estimated speed of 60mph prior to crashing, the court document says. 

38-year-old Andrea Ann Wallace was identified as the suspect driver. The officer detected the odor of burnt marijuana in the vehicle and the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Wallace. 

The male passenger complained of back and neck pain and expressed concern of potential injuries, including whiplash. An update on his condition is not listed in the complaint. 

Wallace was taken to a hospital for an evaluation. An examination at the hospital, including a preliminary breath test that measured her blood-alcohol concentration at 0.049, indicated she was driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, the complaint says. 

Investigators obtained a warrant for a blood draw. The sample from Wallace was sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing. 

Wallace was released from the hospital and brought to the Olmsted County Jail. 

She is charged with felony fleeing, gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation and misdemeanor DWI. Wallace made her first appearance in Olmsted County Court Thursday morning.