On June 7, 2026, at approximately 8:36 P.M., Edina Police Officers were traveling in the area of 76th Street and Edinborough Way in Hennepin County, Minnesota, when they observed a vehicle crashed into the curb. Officers observed a white male, subsequently identified as DANIEL LAZARO ZARZA, hereafter Defendant, near the front of the car and a yellow dog off leash nearby. As Officers approached the vehicle, they observed that its windows were shattered and its driver’s airbag deployed. Officers also noted that the vehicle struck a light pole and fire hydrant, and there appeared to be dog feces on a puppy pad on the back seat.
While Officers were making these observations, Defendant left the scene. Witnesses pointed out to Officers which direction Defendant had gone. While attempting to locate Defendant, Officers learned that Defendant called dispatch and falsely reported that his vehicle had been stolen and that he was at home. Dispatch confirmed that the vehicle Defendant reported stolen was the crashed vehicle and used the cell phone number from the 9-1-1 call to determine that Defendant’s phone was not at his residence but was near the scene of the crash.
Officers located Defendant running with the yellow dog nearby. Officers stopped Defendant, who told them that he was out for a run. However, this struck Officers as inconsistent with their observations, particularly since Defendant was wearing sandals and had abrasion on his forearms consistent with injuries caused to a driver by an airbag deploying. Officers detained Defendant and transported him back to the scene of the crash. The yellow dog was given a ride back to Defendant’s residence and turned over to Defendant’s roommate.
While speaking with Defendant, Officers detected a strong odor of consumed alcohol coming from his person. Officers asked Defendant to participate in standard field-sobriety tests, but Defendant refused. Officers continued to note the odor of alcohol and observed that Defendant appeared to stumble as he walked and had watery eyes. Defendant was then transported back to the police department where he took the Data Master breath test at 10:08 P.M. The results from the test showed Defendant’s blood alcohol content level to be 0.12. A check of Defendant’s criminal history reveals four prior DWI convictions, including a felony level DWI conviction in MNCIS case number ••-CR-••-••••. At present, Defendant is in custody.
