On Januanry 14, 2026, at approximately 11:33 P.M., Officer Quirk was driving south on Lakewood Drive North, Maplewood, County of Ramsey, when he observed a dark pickup truck-2011 black Ford F150- ahead of him driving at a slow rate of speed. The truck almost came to a complete stop before making a right-hand turn to westbound Maryland Avenue. A check of the license plate revealed a KOPS alert for the registered owner-DIANE LYNN GAYLORD, [DOB REDACTED] for felony Strangulation. The truck pulled into the driveway of an address, and parked.
Officer Quirk made a U-turn, activated emergency squad lights to conduct a stop. Officer Quirk exited his squad car and tried to give the driver commands. Shortly after, the driver backed the truck out of the driveway, almost striking the squad car, and fled at a high speed east on Maryland Avenue toward Lakewood Drive north. Officer Quirk pursued the truck through various city streets in Maplewood, Saint Paul, and onto highways (total distance of pursuit 25.7 miles). Other officers responded and joined the pursuit.
The truck traveled through several stop signs and red lights at high rates of speed, and around other vehicles on the roadway. A State Trooper placed stop sticks at I-35E and Pilot Knob. The truck’s front left tire sparked, and the truck slowed, stopping on I-35E in between Pilot Knob and Diffley Road. A female-later identified as GAYLORD- exited the truck and was handcuffed. No one else was inside the truck. After a Miranda advisory, GAYLORD said she was fully aware that Officer Quirk was behind her with lights and siren.
GAYLORD said she thought the officer was her abuser, “Tom.” That is why she did not stop. GAYLORD did not believe “Tom” was a police officer and did not know if he drove a vehicle similar to a police car. She said she thought she was fleeing from the bad guys.
