Motorist Gets Jail Time & Probation for High-Speed Injury Crash Near Rochester Walmart

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Rochester man has been sentenced to 90 days in jail and four years probation for a serious injury crash at the north Walmart store last year. 

Read More: Felony Conviction for High-Speed Injury Crash Near Rochester Walmart 

26-year-old Sufi Abdi Sufi is ordered to report to the Olmsted County Jail by July 20. He was charged with three counts of felony criminal vehicular operation and a gross misdemeanor charge for possessing a pistol without a permit.

He entered a guilty plea to one count of felony criminal vehicular operation through a plea deal reached in January. 

Rochester Man Avoids Prison for Injury Crash at Intersection Near North Walmart Store

The three-vehicle crash occurred on the morning of October 25. 

Sufi, who the criminal complaint says had a blood-alcohol-concentration of 0.13, was heading east on 55th St., at an estimated speed of 90-100mph when collided with a vehicle that had a green light to enter the intersection with Chateau Rd. NW. 

The vehicle Sufi was driving then hit a third vehicle that was stopped at the intersection. 

See Also: At Least Six Lives Lost in Four Days in Crashes on Minnesota's Roads

The driver of one of the other vehicles suffered numerous broken bones and a lung injury in the crash. The occupants of the third vehicle were also injured, but the extent of their injuries was not detailed in the court document. 

Gun Found at Crash Scene

A witness ran to the aid of Sufi, who had slumped out of his vehicle after opening the driver’s door. 

The witness told police that Sufi asked him to hide a firearm that he had in his pocket, and after the witness refused, Sufi threw the pistol into the vehicle, the charges say. 

Rochester police found a 9 mm handgun in the backseat area of the car. The complaint also says Sufi had live ammunition on him at the time of the crash. 

Court documents indicate investigators later learned the gun found at the scene belonged to 25-year-old Abdulahi Mohamed Abukar, who is wanted for a drive-by shooting at the Walmart store and a carjacking. 

Read More: Gun Found at Rochester Crash Scene Linked to Man Wanted for Carjacking & Drive-By Shooting 

Minnesota court records show that Sufi has an extensive list of convictions for traffic offenses, including 2 previous DWI convictions and multiple convictions for driving after revocation.