Man killed in crash while fleeing West St. Paul police

Man dies in chaotic West St. Paul crash

A man was killed in a crash while fleeing police in West St. Paul early Sunday morning.

According to the city’s police department, a woman called police around 1:43 a.m. on Sunday due to a 35-year-old man threatening other residents and damaging property in the home, located on the 1100 block of Ohio Street. She also said the man had drunk large amounts of alcohol and used drugs.

A dispatcher also reported hearing a man yelling and what sounded like things being thrown.

Police Chief Brian Sturgeon says a responding officer saw the vehicle leaving the home at a high rate of speed, adding the officer was a block or more from the home when he spotted the vehicle.

That same vehicle was then seen by officers driving eastbound at a high rate of speed at the intersection of Moreland Avenue and Charlton Street. Police tried to pull him over and arrest him for domestic assault, as well as other charges. However, Chief Sturgeon says the man continued to drive away at a high speed.

The man then reportedly lost control of his vehicle a few blocks later – at Moreland and Robert Street – and crashed into a power pole and two unoccupied cars in a driveway near the intersection of Moreland Avenue and Kruse Street.

The man was ejected from the vehicle and, despite first aid, died at the scene.

West St. Paul Police Department says it has requested the Mendota Heights Police Department to investigate the crash. Minnesota State Patrol is also conducting a crash reconstruction.