A driver fled police at speeds reaching 90 to 100 mph before crashing into a tree, according to a criminal complaint. The pursuit followed an encounter around 3:23 a.m. Sept. 12 near 45th Avenue North and Russell Avenue North in Minneapolis.
Prosecutors charged Precious Shakira Shonice Williams, 23, of Minneapolis, with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and two misdemeanor DWI counts. The DWI counts allege driving under the influence of alcohol and having an alcohol concentration of at least 0.08 within two hours of driving.
Officers first saw a black 2007 GMC Yukon traveling east on Lake Drive. A license plate check showed it was registered to Williams, whose license was suspended and who had an active misdemeanor assault warrant, the complaint says.
After the SUV stopped, a man got out through the driver’s door and ignored commands to return. He eventually got in through the passenger side. Prosecutors allege Williams then drove away as officers pursued with emergency lights and sirens.
Williams fled south on Penn Avenue North at 90 to 100 mph, drove onto a sidewalk and through a front yard, then continued onto Morgan Avenue North before losing control and crashing into a tree, according to the complaint.
The man ran from the scene. Williams remained in the SUV and was arrested. She later told officers the man, whom she knew only as “Wolf,” had not driven her vehicle at any point that night.
Officers found two tequila bottles and smelled alcohol inside the SUV. Williams admitted drinking and said she fled because she knew about the warrant, the complaint says.
A preliminary breath test registered 0.140. At the Robbinsdale Police Department, Williams again admitted drinking and fleeing after officers advised her of her rights. A later breath sample, taken after she was read the breath-test advisory around 4:27 a.m., showed an alcohol concentration of 0.11.
