On June 2, 2026 around 11:50 P.M. Chaska Officers observed three vehicles entering eastbound Highway 212 from Engler Boulevard in Chaska, Carver County that were close together and appeared to be traveling together. Once on Highway 212 the three vehicles accelerated quickly and continued at high rates of speed making it difficult to gain distances on them. Two of the vehicles began to "pace" one another side by side and their lower speed taillights came on and off several times. This indicated behavior indicative of street racing culture.
The two vehicles accelerated simultaneously and began racing. The Officer could not get an accurate lock on their speeds. One of the vehicles, a black BMW sedan was generally slower in speed and was not racing with the other two. The Officer passed that vehicle and remained focused on the two that were racing. The Officer continued to try to catch up. An Officer ultimately was able to stop a 2017 Audi A4 while another Officer focused on the third vehicle, which continued at a very high rate of speed and extinguished its headlights and taillights near Audubon Road.
The Officer continued to attempt to catch the vehicle and activated emergency lights and sire as the vehicle exited at Powers Boulevard. The vehicle was traveling without lights at a high rate of speed. The Officer disengaged. The Officer learned the other vehicle had been stopped and the driver, J. M., admitted the other driver was a classmate of his, Joey Donnelly. Officers located a Justin Thomas Donnelly (2-13-2008), hereinafter Defendant, resident at an address a short distance from Powers Boulevard where the suspect vehicle was last seen heading.
Officers responded and spoke with F. D. Who stated Defendant drives a white Jetta that was in the garage and he had just come home and left again with a friend. The vehicle was very warm to the touch. Defendant came back to the residence and stated he had made a mistake. Defendant was arrested. State Patrol dispatch informed the fleeing suspect vehicle was a white sedan with an all-black roof, which matches Defendant's vehicle. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 609.49., intentional failure to appear for duly scheduled court appearances may result in additional criminal charges, and in addition to any arrest warrant that may otherwise be issued by the Court.
