Man Charged After Coon Rapids Chase Ends in Serious Crash
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A 22-year-old man is charged after authorities say he led officers on a high-speed pursuit in Coon Rapids Saturday.
The driver fled in a stolen vehicle and crashed into two other vehicles, leaving multiple people seriously injured.
According to the criminal complaint, officers first saw Tavontae Ty-ron Hudson, of Minneapolis, turning northbound onto Springbrook Drive Northwest from Coon Rapids Boulevard Northwest on Feb. 7.
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Officers say the black Dodge Charger did not have a rear license plate attached and attempted a traffic stop. Officers activated emergency lights and attempted to stop the vehicle in the parking lot of the Country Inn & Suites, but investigators say the driver accelerated away at a high rate of speed.
Investigators say officers pursued the vehicle as it reached speeds of about 130 mph, ran red lights and weaved through traffic. Officers attempted a PIT maneuver but were unsuccessful and later terminated the pursuit. Authorities say spike strips were successfully deployed by another agency, but the driver continued traveling at dangerous speeds before Hudson crashed near Hanson Boulevard Northwest & Main Street Northwest, striking two other vehicles.
Authorities say three males exited the Charger and tried to flee on foot. Investigators say Hudson climbed out of the driver’s side window while two passengers fled from other doors. All three were taken into custody shortly after.
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Officers searching the vehicle located two firearms inside the Charger and another gun inside a backpack found outside the vehicle. Investigators say one firearm recovered under the driver’s seat was a loaded Glock .40 handgun equipped with a fully automatic switch. Authorities say that firearm was reported stolen out of Minneapolis in October 2021.
A second gun found in the back seat was also reported stolen. Investigators say the firearm located in the backpack had been modified for automatic firing but had not been reported stolen. Authorities also determined the Charger itself had been reported stolen earlier that day.
Investigators say one of the occupants of the stolen vehicle confirmed Hudson was driving during the pursuit.
Authorities say four people were taken to the hospital following the crash. Investigators say the two people inside the vehicles struck during the crash were transported for treatment, including one victim who suffered a possible broken back. Authorities say one passenger inside the Charger suffered two broken hips and a broken wrist, while another passenger suffered serious internal injuries.
Court records show Hudson was previously convicted of a violent crime in November 2023.
Hudson is charged with multiple felonies including illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, possessing a machine gun conversion device, fleeing police resulting in substantial bodily harm, criminal vehicular operation and receiving stolen property.
Hudson was charged by warrant and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on the most serious charge if convicted.
