Woman Wielding Knife During Mental Health Crisis Detained After Walking Into Traffic in Apple Valley
Published: August 5, 2026.
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA - Apple Valley police and emergency medical personnel responded to a mental health crisis on Thursday, July 30th, after multiple 911 callers reported a woman walking in traffic, behaving erratically, and yelling for drivers to run her over near the intersection of West 150th Street and Hayes Road.
According to a police report from the Apple Valley Police, the first 911 call was received shortly after noon. Initial callers reported a person standing in the middle of the roadway, slowing traffic, making obscene gestures toward motorists, and appearing to be experiencing a mental health crisis. As additional callers contacted dispatch, descriptions varied initially, with some believing the individual was male before others confirmed it was a woman walking in the eastbound lanes of traffic.
Several callers described the woman as walking aggressively toward vehicles. One caller told dispatch the woman was yelling for vehicles to "run her over and kill her," prompting officers to immediately begin shutting down traffic in the area.
Apple Valley police requested assistance from additional officers to block eastbound traffic along County Road 42. Emergency medical personnel with Allina Health were dispatched to stage nearby for a suicidal individual while officers worked to safely contain the situation. Multiple officers were assigned to traffic control at Hayes Road, Pennock Avenue, and 147th Street to prevent motorists from entering the area.
According to the report, officers initially attempted to speak with the woman, but she was uncooperative before running south from County Road 42. Officers ultimately located and detained her near McIntosh Drive, where medics were cleared to approach.
During the encounter, an Apple Valley officer reported observing the woman remove a knife from her pocket. The report says she repeatedly told officers to shoot her. The woman eventually dropped the knife before fleeing over a fence along Highway 42. Officers quickly detained her nearby without further incident.
The woman was then transported by ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment, with officers assisting paramedics in safely placing her into the ambulance before the scene was cleared. According to the police report, no injuries were reported to the woman, officers, or motorists, and no vehicle crashes were reported during the incident.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide, help is available by calling or texting 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24 hours a day.
Written by: Will Wight
