Victim, suspects identified after car chase and crash; 2 remain in serious condition
UPDATE 7/12/22: Authorities have named the people involved in a car chase that turned deadly when suspects fled from police in a stolen vehicle and crashed into an oncoming vehicle.
The Anoka County Sheriff named the driver of the fleeing vehicle as 41-year-old Joseph Mario Cady of St. Paul. Cady remains in critical condition after injuries sustained in the crash and subsequent car fire.
The passenger of the fleeing vehicle, who was confirmed dead Monday afternoon, was identified as 30-year-old Jessica Lynn Sellers.
59-year-old Debra Lee Hirsch of Wyoming was the sole person in the vehicle hit by the fleeing car. The sheriff says Hirsch remains in serious condition. A dog in Hirsch’s vehicle was reported to also have died Monday.
The activities leading up to the crash in Linwood Township, located in Anoka County, are still being investigated.
Read how events unfolded in the initial story below.
INITIAL REPORT 7/11/22: Police say two people are recovering from critical injuries after leading police on a chase that began as a shoplifting can and ended in a fiery crash with a stolen vehicle Monday morning in Chisago County.
According to Wyoming police, officers were called to the Cartfull retail store at about 10:48 a.m. for a report of shoplifting. An employee was able to get a license plate and a vehicle description for the person involved.
Officials say the plate belonged to a stolen Washington County vehicle, and it was found shortly before 11 a.m. on southbound I-35 before the driver exited to East Viking Boulevard and traveled into Anoka County.
Police followed the vehicle and waited for deputies to initiate a traffic stop, which was attempted at 11:01 a.m.
Officials say the suspect headed west, passed a vehicle, and then crossed a double yellow line on a curve before hitting an eastbound passenger car, which caused both vehicles to start on fire.
Both people inside the suspect vehicle were flown to hospitals with critical injuries, and the person in the eastbound vehicle was taken to a hospital for injuries not considered to be life-threatening.
As of this time, no other details were immediately provided, and the crash is being investigated by the Minnesota State Patrol and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.
Update:
Just after 3:00 p.m. the Wyoming Police Department issued an update that the passenger in the suspect vehicle has died from their injuries. Additionally, a dog in the victim’s vehicle died as a result of the crash.
No further information on the identities of those involved was provided.