UPDATED: Charges Filed After High-Speed State Patrol Pursuit Through Burnsville, Eagan, and Bloomington Before Ending in Richfield
Published: April 14, 2026 | Last Updated: April 17, 2026 at 10:50 am.
UPDATED STORY - DAKOTA & HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MN: New court documents reveal additional details about a high-speed pursuit earlier this week that ended with a driver’s arrest after troopers used multiple intervention tactics to stop the fleeing vehicle.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court, Alex De Jesus-Zuniga, 30, of Richfield, has been formally charged with one count of felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and one count of misdemeanor fourth-degree driving while impaired (DWI).
The charges stem from an incident late Monday night, April 13th, 2026, when a Minnesota State Patrol trooper attempted to stop a Hyundai Tucson for speeding on I-35W near the 94th Street ramp near Burnsville, Dakota County, MN.
Speeds Near 100 MPH, Erratic Driving Alleged
The complaint states the trooper observed the vehicle traveling 86 mph in a 65 mph zone, weaving across lane lines before accelerating to 96 mph. When the trooper activated emergency lights, the driver allegedly failed to stop and instead accelerated away.
Authorities say the vehicle exited the highway, drove erratically, and at one point crashed down a ramp into a ditch before reentering the roadway and continuing to flee.
During the pursuit, speeds reportedly reached approximately 100 mph, with the driver allegedly running a red light and nearly striking another vehicle.
Multiple PIT Maneuvers, Stop Sticks Used
Court documents detail an extended and dangerous pursuit through Burnsville, Eagan, Bloomington, and Richfield, involving multiple attempts to stop the vehicle.
Troopers attempted a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver, which initially failed to stop the vehicle. The suspect then entered a construction zone in Burnsville and continued fleeing.
Additional troopers joined the pursuit, and investigators say the driver steered toward squad cars attempting to intervene, cutting them off.
Stop sticks were eventually deployed successfully in Bloomington, but the driver continued even after a front tire went flat and ultimately came off the vehicle.
A second PIT maneuver was then executed, followed by troopers pushing the vehicle into a ditch and pinning it against a cable barrier, where additional squads boxed the vehicle in to end the pursuit.
Signs of Impairment, BAC Over Legal Limit
After being taken into custody, troopers identified the driver as De Jesus-Zuniga.
According to the complaint, he showed multiple signs of impairment, including:
Heavily slurred speech
Strong odor of alcohol
Bloodshot, watery eyes
Stumbling and slow movements
A preliminary breath test indicated a blood alcohol concentration of 0.141, well above Minnesota’s legal limit of 0.08. A search warrant was obtained for a blood sample, which was sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for further testing.
Bail Set at Up to $75,000
As of the writing of this update, DeJesus-Zuniga remained in custody following his arrest and had not posted bail.
The prosecutors requested that bail be set at $75,000 without conditions or $50,000 with conditions. The prosecutors noted in court filings that the incident involved a “highly dangerous flight”, citing the near collision, high speeds, and continued attempts to flee even after significant damage to the vehicle.
Authorities also expressed concerns about both public safety and the defendant’s likelihood of reappearing in court. The judge ultimately set bail at $75,000 and $35,000.
ORIGINAL STORY - 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.
Provided by the Dakota County Jail.
Written by: Will Wight
