On June 7, 2026, at approximately 4:56 PM, Officers with the Rochester Police Department responded to a vehicle crash in Southwest Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota. Upon his arrival, Officer Holtan and Officer Alrich met with the driver of a black vehicle, an adult female fully identified in police reports (hereinafter “Victim”), who stated a gold vehicle pulled out in front of her. She swerved around the vehicle, which then sped up and began swerving into her before sideswiping her vehicle. The other vehicle hit her again, drove off, and drove through a parking lot.
Victim positioned her car to prevent him from leaving the parking lot, and the other vehicle rammed into the rear of her vehicle. Officer Aldrich observed visible damage to the rear passenger side bumper as well as a vertical crack on the driver’s side bumper. Victim stated she believed the driver of the gold vehicle was the only occupant, and she did not see anyone leave the vehicle between when it hit her car and when law enforcement arrived. Officer Peterson met with the driver of the gold vehicle, ELIJAH YAK DAU, [DOB REDACTED]. While speaking with Dau, Officer Peterson observed he had slurred speech and was difficult to understand.
He also had bloodshot and watery eyes and appeared uneasy on his feet. Dau stated he consumed one shot of alcohol at approximately 4:00 PM. Officer Peterson conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) on Dau. During the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus SFST, Dau moved his head and had strong nystagmus and lack of smooth pursuit. He was also swaying in a circular motion. Officer Peterson did not administer the Walk and Turn or One Leg Stand SFSTs due to the rain and Dau’s difficulty balancing. Dau provided a preliminary breath sample, which indicated the presence of alcohol at nearly four times the legal limit.
Officer Peterson transported Dau to the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center (ADC). At the ADC, Officer Peterson read to Dau the Breath Test Advisory. He asked Dau multiple times if he wanted to speak with an attorney. Dau stated he did not want to speak with an attorney. Officer Peterson asked Dau multiple times if he would submit to a breath test, and Dau refused. Dau has the following qualified prior impaired driving incidents: November 25, 2025, DWI conviction in Olmsted County Court File ••-CR-••-•••• September 17, 2025, DWI conviction in Court File 19WS-CR-25-8106 February 23, 2023 DWI conviction in Olmsted County Court File ••-CR-••-•••• PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: YOU MUST APPEAR FOR EVERY COURT HEARING REGARDING THIS CASE. FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR COURT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE AND MAY RESULT IN ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL CHARGES BEING IMPOSED AND PUNISHED AS PROVIDED IN MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 609.49.
