Late-Night Police Pursuit out of Dakota County Ends Near Hwy 62/77, Driver Booked for Fleeing and Suspect DWI
Published: March 29, 2026
DAKOTA & HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MN — A late-night pursuit involving the Minnesota State Patrol and neighboring police agencies ended with one arrested after a driver allegedly fled from a traffic stop and led troopers across multiple highways in the south metro.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the incident began at approximately 11:30 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2026, when a trooper attempted to stop a Hyundai Tucson for speeding along southbound I-35W near Cliff Road in Burnville, Minnesota. Authorities say the driver did not stop and instead accelerated away, initiating a pursuit. The trooper activated their emergency lights and siren as the vehicle continued to flee.
The pursuit began southbound on I-35W, then westbound on Highway 13, before the vehicle turned around at Washburn Avenue and went back eastbound on Highway 13 over I-35W. The vehicle reached speeds of 90-100 mph at times and ran several red lights as it reached Highway 77 (Cedar Avenue) in Eagan. The vehicle then went northbound on Highway 77 into Hennepin County. As the pursuit entered Bloomington, stop sticks were deployed just back northbound Highway 77 and I-494, which were successfully used to deflate the vehicle’s tires. Bloomington Police deployed mobile spike strips again, and not long after, the vehicle lost a front-right tire. The pursuit ultimately ended just before Highway 62 on Highway 77 in Richfield, Minnesota.
State Patrol officials confirmed the pursuit was stopped after troopers executed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver, bringing the vehicle to a controlled stop.
Two occupants were taken into custody without incident. The driver was identified by the authorities as Alex De Jesus-Zuniga, a 30-year-old man from Richfield. He was arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired (DWI) and was booked into the Dakota County Jail, and is facing an additional charge of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle. The passenger in the vehicle was released at the scene and has not been charged.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
The Minnesota State Patrol says the investigation remains ongoing.
Written by: Will Wight
