Minneapolis squad car struck in hit-and-run crash, officer crashes during pursuit

A Minneapolis Police Department squad vehicle was struck when another driver ran a stop sign, according to a news release from the Minneapolis Police Department.

The incident happened at about 2:05 p.m. near the intersection of 34th Street East and 1st Avenue South.

Police said the officer could not stop or safely swerve and struck the vehicle. The driver then fled from the crash scene by driving the wrong way on 1st Avenue South, which is a one-way street.

The officer activated the siren and lights and pursued the vehicle to obtain the plate number. According to the news release, another vehicle was then struck by the police squad about one block away, at the intersection of 35th Street East and 1st Avenue South. That vehicle was westbound on 35th Street East and was driven by an 18-year-old woman with two 17-year-old passengers. The vehicle that ran the stop sign continued to flee after the second crash.

No injuries were reported.

Police said both the officer’s vehicle and the one driven by the 18-year-old were operational and safely moved from the scene.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Minneapolis Police Traffic Investigation Division.