Lakeville Woman Charged After High-Speed Pursuit from Eagan to Apple Valley Ends in Crash With Squad
Published: February 20, 2026.
EAGAN, MINNESOTA - A 30-year-old Lakeville woman is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly leading Eagan Police Officers on a high-speed pursuit that spanned roughly eight miles, reached speeds of up to 110 miles per hour, and ended with a squad car being struck head-on in Apple Valley, Minnesota.
Cynthia Lauren Gross, of Lakeville, has been charged in Dakota County District Court with:
Felony Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle (Minn. Stat. 609.487.3)
Felony Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree – involving a public safety vehicle and resulting in substantial interruption of service or risk of harm (Minn. Stat. 609.595.1(2))
The complaint was filed on February 20, 2026, in Dakota County.
Theft Report at Eagan Hy-Vee Sparks Pursuit
According to the criminal complaint, officers were dispatched on February 19, 2026, to a reported theft at the Hy-Vee store located in the 1500 block of Central Park Commons Drive in Eagan. When officers arrived, they located the suspect vehicle leaving the area and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Authorities say the driver failed to stop despite officers activating emergency lights and sirens, instead accelerating away and initiating a pursuit.
Officers estimate the fleeing vehicle reached speeds between 35 and 110 miles per hour during the chase as it traveled south on I-35E toward Burnsville, Minnesota, covering approximately 8 miles through Eagan and into Apple Valley.
Red Light, Loss of Control, and Secondary Crash
During the pursuit, officers report that the suspect vehicle allegedly attempted to pass traffic on the shoulder but was unable to do so because of snow accumulation. The vehicle then reportedly ran a red light at the intersection after exiting I-35E at County Road 11, with cross traffic, prompting officers to discontinue the pursuit due to public safety concerns, and Gross almost causing a crash.
Shortly after officers disengaged, the vehicle allegedly lost control near the intersection of McAndrews Road and 140th Street in Apple Valley, leaving the roadway and entering a ditch. During the incident, the suspect vehicle also clipped another vehicle at the intersection, causing damage. Two individuals were inside that vehicle. A family member later reported to Limitless Media that neither occupant was injured.
Photograph of the damage to the innocent bystander vehicle.
Squad Car Rammed Head-On
Officers approached the suspect vehicle after it appeared to be stuck in the snow following a loss of control. According to the complaint, officers attempted to pin the vehicle using their squad cars to prevent further flight. One officer positioned their squad in front of the suspect vehicle. Authorities allege that Gross regained traction and drove directly into the front of the patrol vehicle.
The impact was significant enough to deploy the squad car’s airbags. The officer driving the squad reported pain in their left forearm and right wrist following the crash. The patrol vehicle sustained serious damage and was towed from the scene.
Gross was then pinned and taken into custody without further incident.
Evidence Located in Vehicle
A search of the vehicle reportedly led to the recovery of several pieces of tinfoil with burn marks and residue suspected to be narcotics. Officers also located an unlabeled orange pill bottle in the glove box containing pills later identified as Gabapentin.
No additional drug charges were listed in the initial complaint at the time of filing.
Prosecutor Requests High Bail
In its bail argument, court documents show that the prosecution emphasized the seriousness of the incident, noting:
The extended distance and duration of the pursuit
Speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour
Presence of other motorists on the roadway
The alleged head-on ramming of a marked squad vehicle
Injury to a law enforcement officer
Significant damage to public safety equipment
Prosecutors requested that bail be set at $150,000 without conditions or $75,000 with conditions.
The judge ultimately set bail at:
$250,000 without conditions, or
$25,000 with conditions
As of this writing, Gross has not posted bail and remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail.
Potential Penalties
If convicted:
Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle carries a maximum penalty of up to three years plus one day in prison and/or fines ranging from $1,500 to $5,000.
First-Degree Criminal Damage to Property involving a public safety vehicle carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and/or fines between $3,000 and $10,000.
As with all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Provided by the Dakota County Jail.
Written by: Will Wight
