The following is based on your complainant’s review of the reports of other officers and your complainant’s own investigation: On May 27, 2026, at shortly after 1:00am, a Minnesota State Trooper on patrol observed a Dodge Challenger traveling at high speed on eastbound Interstate 94 east of Snelling Ave. As the trooper caught up to it, it slowed somewhat, but its speed was still measured at 73 mph in a 55-mph zone. The trooper activated his squad emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop on 94 near Dale St., St. Paul, Ramsey County.
The Challenger moved to the shoulder but did not stop. The trooper activated his squad emergency siren, and another trooper blocked the shoulder. The vehicle briefly stopped, but as the first trooper began to exit his squad, the vehicle drove away. Troopers followed as the Challenger continued on 94 through the Interstate 35E interchange, at speeds reaching 110 mph. The vehicle turned onto southbound Highway 61 and into Washington County, where it briefly stopped at a residence. A State Patrol helicopter observed three passenger exiting, while the driver remained, apparently digging inside the vehicle for something.
Cottage Grove Police approached. The Challenger fled again, at very high speeds on residential streets. It turned back onto Highway 61 north, where it struck a Cottage Grove squad car near Highway 494. The driver fled on foot. He was eventually detained. The driver was identified as one of the registered owners of the Challenger, the defendant, PAUL JOSEPH ERICKSON ([DOB REDACTED]). A key fob to the vehicle was in his pocket. The defendant spontaneously apologized for fleeing in the Challenger. He said that he “was supposed to be the designated driver, f****** got sad, decided to drink with my buddies.” He explained that when he had been seen digging inside of the vehicle, he had been searching for his phone; “otherwise I would’ve hopped out, grabbed it and gone.” A sample of the defendant’s blood was obtained at 3:00am pursuant to a warrant.
It will be submitted for testing. The defendant declined to make any further statement.
