Carter J. Pasch, 19, Prescott, was charged in Dakota County District Court on Wednesday, June 21 with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.
On June 17, a Minnesota State Trooper observed a motorcycle traveling eastbound on I-494 in the city of Mendota Heights. The trooper was attempting to stop a separate vehicle for a traffic violation, but due to the speeds the motorcycle was traveling, the trooper activated the emergency lights and sirens on his squad car and attempted to stop the motorcycle. The motorcyclist, later identified as Pasch, looked back at the trooper and accelerated even faster.
The motorcycle continued eastbound on I-494, splitting lanes of traffic in between vehicles, moving in and out of traffic, passing vehicles on the shoulder while travelling at estimated speeds of 130-140 mph. The speed limit for the area was 60 mph. Due to the dangerous speeds of the motorcycle, the trooper discontinued the pursuit.
Minnesota State Patrol dispatch continued to follow the motorcycle on MNDOT cameras as it exited southbound on Highway 61 and took the Glen Road exit into Newport. A Washington County sheriff’s deputy located the motorcycle and performed a traffic stop near the intersection of 17th Street and Seventh Avenue in Newport.
Pasch was arrested. While in the backseat of the squad car, the trooper gave Pasch his phone. Pasch called a family member and stated, “I’m going to jail. I was being dumb and fleeing from the cops.” Pasch was booked into the Dakota County Jail.
