Wrong-Way Driver Arrested After High-Speed Pursuit From Inver Grove Heights to Woodbury
Published: November 6, 2025 | Last Updated: November 8, 2025 at 9:08 AM.
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA—A wrong-way driver was taken into custody early Thursday morning after leading the Minnesota State Patrol and local agencies on a high-speed pursuit that began in Dakota County and ended in Washington County.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, around 2:17 a.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2025, Minnesota Troopers were notified of a vehicle traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Highway 52 near 70th Street East in Inver Grove Heights. The vehicle was identified as a 2023 Toyota RAV4. Troopers located the vehicle near Upper 55th Street East and attempted to stop the vehicle. When troopers tried to stop the vehicle, the driver reportedly swerved around the State Trooper and continued northbound in the wrong direction. A pursuit ensued as the vehicle traveled at high speeds through the southbound lanes of Highway 52.
The suspect then exited Highway 52 the wrong way, using the westbound I-494 ramp to go eastbound in the westbound lanes of the interstate from Highway 52. The chase reached speeds exceeding 100 mph as it continued east into Washington County.
Washington County law enforcement officers deployed stop sticks, but they were not successful in disabling the vehicle. The pursuit ultimately ended when troopers conducted a PIT maneuver near Valley Creek Road and I-494 in Woodbury, successfully stopping the vehicle.
The driver was taken into custody without further incident. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the driver was identified as 41-year-old Lai Htoo of St. Paul, Minnesota. Htoo was booked in Dakota County Jail on suspicion of felony fleeing a police officer and DWI.
“This incident highlights the split-second decisions troopers face every day to protect others on Minnesota roads. Through teamwork, law enforcement was able to bring this dangerous wrong-way situation to a safe ending.” — Colonel Christina Bogojevic
On Friday, November 8, 2025, the judge set Htoo’s bond at $100,000 without conditions and $80,000 with conditions. He remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail.
Provided by the Dakota County Jail.
This information comes from court documents filed in Dakota County District Court. These are merely allegations, not proof of guilt. Htoo is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Written by: Will Wight
Video provided by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
