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.
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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.
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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.
$25,000 Rewards Offered in Two Rochester Cold Case Murder Investigations
The Rochester Police Department is hoping to identify those responsible for the deaths of April Sorenson and Robert Volgmann.
Gallery Credit: Photos supplied by Rochester Police Departmentt
photos supplied by Rochester Police Dept.
April Sorenson
April Jean Sorenson was found murdered in her northwest Rochester home on April 17, 2007. Her body was discovered by First Responders who were dispatched to the scene after a TV technician came to the residence for a scheduled appointment and spotted smoke coming from a window.
photos supplied by Rochester Police Dept.
April Sorenson
After the Rochester Fire Department finished putting out the flames, April was found dead in her bedroom and it was determined the fire was not an accident. An autopsy later found she had been stabbed and strangled.
photos supplied by Rochester Police Dept.
April Sorenson
The Rochester Police Department included a statement from her family in the news release announcing the reward.
“April was a beautiful, 27-year-old woman in the prime of her life. She worked hard at everything she did and was studying to become a dental hygienist. She was close with her family. They shared a love for running and ran several races together. April had no enemies and was very well liked by everyone. Her death was untimely and a huge loss for her family, friends and our community.”
photos supplied by Rochester Police Dept.
April Sorenson house
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Eric Boynton at 507-328-6925 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or rochesterolmstedcrimestoppers.org.
photos supplied by Rochester Police Dept.
Robert Volgmann
Rochester Police say Robert E. Volgmann was last seen alive on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020. Several days later, he was found murdered in his apartment, the victim of an assault. Police say the bedroom window at the residence was open and he was found by his landlord.
photos supplied by Rochester Police Dept.
Robert Volgmann
A statement from the police department says Bobby, as he was known to family and friends, was a “jack-of-all-trades and could fix anything.” His family noted he especially enjoyed building bikes and dreamed of moving to Hawaii.
photos supplied by Rochester Police Dept.
Robert Volgmann
His sister shared a statement with the Rochester Police Department.
“Bobby was very close to his family. He would do anything for them! His mother – oh boy!! I tell you, he was a mama’s boy! A few weeks before Bobby was murdered, we had to say goodbye to our mother. Our mother’s death was extremely hard on our family, and then we had to go through it again with Bobby. It was a very difficult day, getting a phone call of another family member gone too soon…Our family is still searching for answers, with restless nights as well as broken hearts…Please help us solve this case and finally put Bobby to rest.”
photos supplied by Rochester Police Dept.
Robert Volgmann apartment
Anyone with information that could help find his killer is asked to contact Investigator Chris Weber at (507) 328-6922 or Crimestoppers, 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or rochesterolmstedcrimestoppers.org.
Read More: Rochester Woman Faces Charges After High-Speed Police Chase | https://krocnews.com/fleeing-police-crash-rochester/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
Trying to fool the R.I.D.E. police officers? Don’t bother
Special to The Globe and Mail
Published November 29, 2013
This article was published more than 12 years ago. Some information may no longer be current.
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Ontario’s holiday R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program was rolled out last week, marking perhaps the only time most of us don’t dread seeing flashing red lights while being signalled to stop. As much.
Officers from forces across Southern Ontario teamed up with Police Services students at Humber College’s north campus to kick-start the program, in its 36th year. The lineup of police rigs was impressive, from huge vans to undercover vehicles to a motorcycle. More than one student did a double take at a hearse parked among the emergency vehicles. Subtle? Not a bit.
Some people think the program is an infringement on their rights and there are lawyers who readily agree. Some of those people flock to Twitter each year to reveal R.I.D.E. locations. Are there issues of free speech and due process that could be entertained here? Sure. But most of us, unfortunately, have some kind of personal experience with impaired drivers. My first boyfriend was killed by a drunk driver. I’m extremely biased.
R.I.D.E. check locations aren’t chosen randomly. Police target a sweeping cross-section of drivers on a committed course – cresting a hill, the point of no return on a highway ramp, just past that curve. Evasive action is not recommended.
Constable Clint Stibbe, with the Toronto Police Service, laughs when asked about drivers determined to avoid the stop. “We see U-turns, but the officers are on it instantly. We see people attempt to back up, but they have to understand they’re out-manned.” You might as well put a spotlight over your head.
What if your evasive action isn’t because of impairment, but because you realize your licence is on the counter at home, or you haven’t gotten around to replacing that burned out headlight?
“The spirit of the R.I.D.E. check is to ensure sobriety. That first officer isn’t looking for licence, registration and insurance when you pull up,” says Stibbe. “Can another officer move to the [Highway] Traffic Act? Yes. But our priority is impairment.”
This is a careful way of saying that the first officer can’t deal with traffic act violations. But other officers can be running plates or doing vehicle checks, and you could be handed off like a baton in a relay race.
“The courts are very clear on how we can proceed. Each checkpoint will have a sergeant and maybe five officers and the breath tech,” he says. “You may have me doing the sobriety check, but a different officer may be doing a vehicle check … We also have the units to chase down anyone who tries to dodge the stop.”
The province spends $2.4-million annually on R.I.D.E., an amount that was doubled from $1.2 million in 2007-08. Stops have risen accordingly, from 505,733 in 2007-08 to 1,016,786 in 2011/12. The increase in stops, however, can’t account for a disturbing trend: the number of charges last year were the highest in eight years. Police laid 693 impaired charges, up from 652 in 2010-11 and 294 in 2009-10.
Drivers aged 21 and younger must have a zero alcohol level regardless of licence grade, and officers may ask for proof of age. Stibbe reminds motorists that if they’re the accompanying driver to someone with a G1 licence, their own blood alcohol concentration can’t exceed 0.05 per cent.
A stop may only take 10-15 seconds, but during that time the officer is hitting a mental checklist. Stibbe says the tabulation starts immediately.
“Bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, odour of alcohol coming from the vicinity of the driver or on the breath, slurred speech, unco-ordinated movement, sleepiness, lack of ability to follow simple instructions, admission of consumption (‘I only had one’) or another admission of consumption (‘It’s been hours’), and yes, passing out.” He notes these may be classic signs of impairment, but he also says that often, “people think they’re covering well. They’re not. We can almost always tell when you’re trying to hide something.”
Anyone can be asked to take a breathalyzer, and registering zero to 0.049 per cent is considered a pass. Blow between 0.05 and 0.099, and you will be warned. Your car will be impounded for three days and your licence suspended for five. Blow over 0.099 and you’re facing criminal charges. Police go with 0.099 to allow for a margin of error (0.08 is the legal definition of impaired), but more comprehensive testing will take place.
If your choice of drug won’t trigger the breathalyzer, police won’t hesitate to call in the heavy hitters – officers trained to detect all types of impairment, not just alcohol.
If police clear a passenger to drive your car in your place, you can avoid having your car impounded. This will save you money, if nothing else.
However, as Stibbe wonders, “why weren’t they driving in the first place?'”
If you have questions about driving or car maintenance, please contact our experts at globedrive@globeandmail.com.
