100mph Driver Accused of Threatening State Trooper During Rochester Traffic Stop

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A teenage Rochester man is facing a long list of charges that stem from a Rochester area traffic stop. 

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The criminal complaint, filed in Olmsted County Court on Wednesday, says the incident occurred shortly before 9:00 Tuesday night. 

The motorist is accused of hitting triple digits on the speedometer, dirking and driving and threatening a state trooper. 

18-Year-Old Rochester Man Facing Charges for Fleeing & Threatening State Trooper

18-year-old Brian Morales-Valazquez is charged with felony fleeing, felony threats, gross misdemeanor DWI and misdemeanor counts of DWI, careless driving, underage drinking and driving, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle and speeding. 

The charges say a trooper patrolling Hwy. 52 in Rochester spotted a vehicle coming up behind him at a high rate of speed, weaving in and out of traffic. He measured the vehicle’s speed at 103 mph. 

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The trooper slowed to allow the vehicle to pass his squad car and once the vehicle passed, it accelerated to 117 mph, the complaint says. 

The trooper activated his squad’s emergency lights and followed the vehicle to the County Rd. 1 exit where the driver, identified as Morales-Valazquez, exited the freeway, put on his hazards and turned onto County Rd. 1. 

Morales-Valazquez, who had a passenger with him, pulled onto the shoulder. The trooper ordered him out of the vehicle. 

Alcoholic Odor Detected During Traffic Stop

The charges say at one point Morales-Valazquez tried to return to the driver’s seat. While speaking with the teen, the trooper detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage. 

Morales-Valazquez admitted to consuming vodka sprites prior to the traffic stop and failed field sobriety tests, the complaint states. He also refused to take a breath test. 

Trooper's Family Threatened During Drive to Jail

The trooper took Morales-Valazquez into custody. Morales-Valazquez then threatened the trooper and his family while they were traveling to the Olmsted County jail, the charges indicate. 

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Morales-Valazquez refused to take a breath test a second time once he was brought to the jail, according to the complaint. 

Morales-Valazquez made his first court appearance on Wednesday. He is due back in court next month.