Driver airlifted after pursuit that began in Otsego, ended in rollover

A motorist who authorities say fled from Wright County deputies before crashing was airlifted to the hospital Sunday night.

At approximately 10:25 p.m. Sunday, April 21, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office responded to a traffic complaint of a motorist who was driving erratically.

A Wright County deputy located the vehicle in the city of Otsego. The deputy activated emergency lights and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

According to the sheriff’s office, the suspect vehicle, a 1999 Dodge Dakota pickup, immediately fled from the deputy.

The suspect travelled south on Quam Avenue, eventually merging onto southbound Highway 101. Deputies continued to pursue the suspect south on Highway 101 to the off ramp of 45th Street in the city of St. Michael.

Contact was made between the suspect vehicle and a Wright County deputy’s vehicle on the off ramp of 45th Street. The contact caused the suspect vehicle to roll over, the sheriff’s office said.

Wright County deputies and emergency responders from the St. Michael Fire Department were able to extricate the driver. a 44-year-old La Crescent, Minnesota, man, from the vehicle. He was airlifted to Regions Hospital.

There was evidence allegedly located by deputies of possible alcohol consumption and impairment, according to the sheriff’s office.

The incident is under further investigation.