Woman Allegedly Said She’d ‘Call Governor Walz’ Before Striking State Patrol Squads, Fleeing Charges Say
Hennepin County Jail Booking Photo
Published: September 16th, 2026.
MINNEAPOLIS: — A Wisconsin woman who allegedly told a Minnesota State Patrol trooper she was "going to call Governor Walz" during an early-morning traffic stop is facing felony and gross misdemeanor charges after prosecutors say she attempted to flee and repeatedly struck squad vehicles in Minneapolis.
Jennifer Ann Donovan, 38, has been charged in Hennepin County District Court with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and gross misdemeanor refusal to submit to chemical testing.
According to the criminal complaint, a Minnesota State Patrol trooper was on routine patrol at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Sept. 13 when the trooper observed a black Cadillac accelerating and braking aggressively and making multiple lane changes without signaling near Washington Avenue and 2nd Avenue South in Minneapolis.
The trooper initiated a traffic stop and identified Donovan as the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, the complaint alleges.
Prosecutors say the trooper observed that Donovan had bloodshot and watery eyes and accelerated speech. Donovan allegedly denied consuming alcohol and made several statements expressing concern that other vehicles were following her.
According to the complaint, Donovan refused to exit the Cadillac and said she did not feel safe. She allegedly asked for backup and repeatedly said she was "going to call Governor Walz real quick." She also allegedly said she was going to have her father come to the scene.
Additional troopers eventually arrived and attempted to box in Donovan's vehicle, according to the complaint. Prosecutors allege Donovan then accelerated and attempted to push through the squad vehicles, striking them multiple times.
Troopers eventually removed Donovan from the vehicle. The complaint alleges she passively resisted by acting as "dead weight."
Donovan subsequently provided a preliminary breath sample that registered a 0.000 blood alcohol concentration, according to prosecutors. Based on their observations, troopers suspected she could be under the influence of a substance other than alcohol.
Authorities obtained a search warrant for a blood or urine sample. The complaint alleges Donovan was presented with the warrant, offered both testing options and informed that refusing the test was a crime, but she declined to provide a sample.
Donovan was initially booked into the Hennepin County Jail on suspicion of misdemeanor DWI and posted $12,000 bond before the case was referred for potential felony charges, according to the complaint.
Prosecutors subsequently requested that the court issue a warrant with increased bail, citing the alleged fleeing conduct and their belief that Donovan may have been impaired at the time.
Felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle carries a maximum potential sentence of three years and one day in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. The chemical-test-refusal charge carries a maximum potential sentence of 364 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $3,000.
The charges are allegations. Donovan is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.