January Apple Valley Crash Tied to Bloomington Officer Pursuit of Speeding Vehicle
Published: March 12, 2026
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA - We are providing an update on the incident we originally posted on our Facebook page on January 24, 2026, where a driver is accused of fleeing from a police officer and running a red light, causing a serious crash at Cedar Avenue and 160th Street West in Apple Valley. The crash sent several people to the hospital, according to police reports from the Apple Valley and Bloomington Police Departments.
The crash occurred around 9:12 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026, with authorities saying the driver of a 2017 Honda CR-V allegedly fled from a Bloomington police officer who attempted to stop the vehicle for speeding moments earlier on Highway 77.
Attempted Traffic Stop and Pursuit
According to Bloomington police reports, a Bloomington police commander was driving southbound on Highway 77 (Cedar Avenue) around 9:10 p.m. after finishing a contractual overtime assignment when he observed a dark-colored SUV traveling at an extremely high rate of speed near 140th Street. The speed limit in that area is 45 mph, but the officer estimated the vehicle was traveling approximately 80 mph when it passed his unmarked police vehicle in the center lane.
The officer initially activated a spotlight on the vehicle as a warning, but the driver did not slow down. When the officer then activated his emergency lights, the vehicle changed lanes and moved directly in front of the squad car. According to the police report, the vehicle began driving erratically to evade the officer, including passing vehicles by using a turn lane and crossing multiple lanes of traffic. The officer activated his siren, but the driver continued accelerating southbound, clearly attempting to flee.
During the pursuit, several vehicles ahead braked suddenly, temporarily blocking the officer’s path. By the time the officer maneuvered around traffic, the suspect vehicle had disappeared from view. The officer later noted the vehicle’s initial speeding violation had been captured on the squad car’s camera, though he had not yet been able to see the license plate before losing sight of the vehicle.
Crash at Cedar Avenue and 160th Street West
Just moments later, while stopped at the intersection of Cedar Avenue and 160th Street, the officer observed a heavily damaged black vehicle on the sidewalk at the southeast corner of the intersection. The vehicle, later identified as a 2015 Nissan Altima, had severe front-end damage, no lights on, and smoke coming from the engine.
At first, the officer believed the Altima might have been the vehicle that fled from him. However, two men standing outside the vehicle told the officer that another vehicle had run a red light and struck them, and that the other car had continued south on Cedar Avenue. An Apple Valley police officer responding to the scene confirmed that the suspect vehicle was located further south on Cedar Avenue.
According to the Apple Valley Police Department’s crash report, the collision occurred when the southbound Honda CR-V driven by the fleeing suspect entered the intersection against a red light while fleeing from police. At the same time, the Nissan Altima was traveling eastbound on 160th Street West with a green traffic signal.
The two vehicles collided in the intersection, resulting in significant damage to both vehicles and the deployment of multiple airbags. The police reports stated that the Honda CR-V sustained major damage along the passenger side, including the loss of its rear passenger-side tire. The Nissan Altima suffered severe front-end damage and was later found on the southeast corner of the intersection, facing westbound.
Despite the impact, the Honda CR-V reportedly continued southbound for approximately half a block before coming to a stop in the northbound lanes of Cedar Avenue.
Both vehicles were later towed due to disabling damage.
A witness at the scene told officers they clearly observed the eastbound traffic signal at 160th Street West to be green. The witness stated they saw the southbound vehicle run the red light on Cedar Avenue before striking the Nissan. Investigators also documented extensive damage to both vehicles, consistent with a high-speed intersection collision.
Crash diagram from the Apple Valley Police Department police report.
Multiple People Hospitalized
Apple Valley Fire Department and Allina Health medics responded quickly to the crash scene. Four occupants of the Nissan Altima were transported by ambulance to area hospitals, with two suspected of having minor injuries and two with possibly critical injuries. The wife of one of the victims, who was in the back seat of the Nissan Altima, reportedly broke their sternum and rib as a result of the crash.
Authorities reported that all occupants involved in the crash were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision.
The suspect in this incident was also transported by ambulance to Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville with suspected minor injuries for evaluation.
Suspect Admits Fleeing Police
According to Bloomington police reports, the suspect later made statements to officers acknowledging she had fled from the police. While speaking with officers at the hospital, she reportedly stated she ran from the officer because she did not want to stop and was driving to Iowa.
She told officers that when she reached the intersection, she believed the squad car was no longer directly behind her and initially considered turning right, but instead decided to drive straight through the red light.
Arrest and Potential Criminal Charges
After being medically cleared from the hospital, the suspect was transported to the Bloomington Police Department, where she was booked into custody. The police report also noted that the insurance documentation provided by the driver listed an expiration date of September 15, 2025, though the driver claimed the policy remained active.
Bloomington police, who are handling the criminal investigation into the pursuit, have requested that the Dakota County Attorney’s Office review the case for potential charges.
Prosecutors are being asked to consider the following charges:
Three counts of Criminal Vehicular Operation – Gross Negligence Causing Great Bodily Harm
Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle
Reckless Driving
We reached out to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office regarding this case. They report to Limitless Media News that the investigation and review into this case is still ongoing, and no additional information can be released at this time. While the suspect was identified in the police report, because no formal charges have been made yet, we will not be naming the suspect at this time. We can report that the suspect is a 23-year-old female from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Apple Valley Police report states that drugs might have been a factor in the crash, as illicit drugs might have been taken.
Limitless Media News will provide updates on this incident if and when formal charges are issued.
Written by: Will Wight
