A Spring Lake Park man dragged a police officer with his Corvette and crashed into a yard while fleeing police after a minor collision, according to charges.
Richard James Chacich, 58, faces charges of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, fourth-degree assault on a peace officer causing bodily harm, criminal vehicular operation resulting in bodily harm while under the influence of alcohol, DWI and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.
According to the complaint, officers responded to a minor traffic collision in Blaine on September 21, 2026. Witnesses reported that Chacich had been driving erratically before rear-ending another vehicle. After both drivers pulled into a parking lot to exchange insurance information, a bystander called 911 to report the crash.
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A Blaine police officer arrived and noticed an odor of alcohol coming from Chacich. As the officer prepared to conduct field sobriety tests, a contractor working nearby saw Chacich sitting on the bumper of the squad car before getting up and heading toward his Corvette. The officer ordered Chacich not to get into the car, but Chacich ignored the command, got into the driver’s seat and tried several times to start the vehicle.
The officer reached through the window to stop him, but Chacich started the car, “floored it” in reverse and dragged the officer, nearly striking the squad car. The Corvette spun around, throwing the officer to the ground. The officer radioed for backup, and other officers responded to assist.
Chacich sped away but crashed at a private residence after taking a turn at high speed, striking a retaining wall and flipping the car into the yard. His dog was ejected from the vehicle but was not injured. Officers found Chacich still inside the overturned Corvette. He was slow to respond to commands, rambled incoherently and struggled to exit the vehicle. An open beer can had been thrown from the car, and police found marijuana and a pipe inside it.
Chacich was transported to the hospital for medical clearance and a blood draw. The officer who was dragged suffered significant pain in his hip, chest and abdomen but was discharged from the hospital without life-threatening injuries.
The charges were filed Tuesday, September 22, in Anoka County District Court.
About This Charge
Minnesota classifies assault by degree under § 609.221 (first), § 609.222 (second), § 609.223 (third), § 609.2231 (fourth) and § 609.224 (fifth). First-degree assault, alleging great bodily harm, carries up to 20 years in prison. The lower degrees range from misdemeanor up to 10-year felony exposure depending on weapon use and harm.
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Jurisdictional Context
Anoka County, north of the Twin Cities, is served by the Anoka County Attorney’s Office through the Tenth Judicial District. The Anoka County Courthouse in Anoka hears felony matters; the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office operates the Anoka County Jail.
