Rochester Man Charged for High-Speed Chase on Hwy. 52

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Rochester man was recently charged for a high-speed chase on Hwy. 52. 

See Also: Distracted Truck Driver Sentenced for 2023 Southeast Minnesota Crash 

The criminal complaint, filed in Olmsted County Court earlier this week, says the pursuit began in Rochester on the morning of March 10. 

A Minnesota State Trooper was on patrol when he spotted the suspect vehicle in front of him in the northbound lanes of the freeway. 

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Rochester Man Charged for 120 mph Pursuit on Hwy. 52 in Rochester, MN

The court document identifies the motorist accused of fleeing law enforcement as 21-year-old Braydon James Baier. He’s charged with one count of felony fleeing. 

Baier was first spotted by the topper in the area of the Hwy. 52/41st St. Northwest interchange. 

The trooper saw Baier, who was ahead of him in the middle lane, turn off his lights, enter the left lane and rapidly accelerate away from the squad car, the complaint says. 

Upon activating his front-facing radar, the trooper clocked Baier’s vehicle traveling at 105 mph in the 60 mph zone, the court document alleged. 

Baier and the trooper continued north. At one point, Baier was estimated to be traveling at 120 mph at the southern point of the 65th St. Northwest exit, according to the complaint. 

He eventually exited the freeway at the Hwy. 63 North interchange, still traveling 105 mph at the base of the off-ramp. Baier then slowed but did not stop at the stop sign at the top of the ramp as he made a right turn onto Hwy. 63, the court document says. 

Eventually, Baier slowed down and stopped the vehicle. He was then taken into custody, the complaint indicates. 

Baier was released without bail following his first court appearance this week. He is due back in court next month.