19-Year-Old Charged After Crashing Stolen Hyundai Into State Patrol Squad in Minneapolis
Published: May 6th 2026
Photo from Ramsey County Sheriff Live on Patrol and booking photo from Hennepin County Jail
MINNEAPOLIS, MN: A 19-year-old is facing multiple felony charges in Hennepin County after a stolen vehicle crashed into a Minnesota State Patrol squad vehicle in Minneapolis, injuring a trooper and two passengers, according to a criminal complaint.
Thailand Taiwan Hawkins, 19, has been charged with two counts of felony criminal vehicular operation causing substantial bodily harm, felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, felony receiving stolen property, and gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation causing bodily harm.
According to the criminal complaint, officers responded on May 1, 2026, to a report of a stolen red Hyundai after the victim, M.P., reported that he parked the vehicle at approximately 11 p.m. the previous night and discovered it missing the following morning. A witness reportedly told officers they saw two individuals break into the vehicle and drive away. Officers also recovered a door handle and other vehicle parts believed to match the stolen Hyundai.
Later that evening, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office located the stolen vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. According to the complaint, the vehicle fled while deputies had emergency lights activated and was driven recklessly as it entered Minneapolis. The complaint states that, after the pursuit squads were terminated, the active pursuit continued and their emergency lights were turned off, while a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter continued tracking the vehicle from above.
The complaint alleges the stolen Hyundai later traveled through the intersection of Aldrich Avenue and 46th Street at approximately 80 mph without headlights and failed to stop at a stop sign before crashing into the side of a Minnesota State Patrol squad vehicle, pinning a trooper inside.
According to the complaint, the driver fled from the crash scene on foot but was apprehended a short distance away by officers. Hawkins was later identified as the alleged driver.
The front-seat and back-seat passengers reportedly remained inside the vehicle and were transported to the hospital following the crash.
According to the complaint, Hawkins later gave a post-Miranda statement in which he allegedly admitted that “it is fun to drive around in stolen vehicles.” The complaint also states that during recorded jail calls, Hawkins allegedly said police did not know he was the driver.
Trooper M.T. reportedly suffered a fractured right fibula and fractured left scapula. Passenger M.G. allegedly sustained a compound leg fracture and a significant brain bleed. Passenger M.H. was also hospitalized with neck pain, according to the complaint. Medical records are pending.
Court records state Hawkins remains in custody in Ramsey County, and prosecutors requested a warrant due to what they described in the complaint as a significant danger to public safety.
The charges against Hawkins are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.