Man Gets 4 Years for Causing Hopkins Crash That Seriously Injured 2

Oct 3

A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to four years in prison for causing a serious crash in Hopkins while driving a stolen vehicle, leaving two people with significant injuries.

According to court records, 29-year-old Joshua Maurice Mitchell pleaded guilty in August to one count of criminal vehicular operation resulting in great bodily harm.

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Prosecutors said he drove a stolen Cadillac Escalade and caused a collision in Hopkins on May 1. The plea agreement led to the dismissal of the more serious charge of fleeing a police officer which results in great bodily harm. A charge of receiving stolen property was also dismissed at sentencing.

Authorities said officers attempted to stop Mitchell after spotting the stolen SUV in a Hopkins parking lot. Instead of complying, Mitchell fled and crashed into another vehicle at 5th Avenue South and Excelsior Boulevard. The impact left the driver of the other vehicle with a traumatic brain injury, multiple rib fractures and internal injuries. Mitchell’s passenger suffered fractures to her leg and ankle. Mitchell himself sustained a scalp laceration and broken femur.

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At sentencing on Oct. 1, a Hennepin County judge ordered Mitchell to serve 48 months in prison with credit for 154 days already served in jail. The sentence runs concurrently with a prior conviction from 2024 for assaulting a police officer. In that case, Mitchell, again driving a stolen vehicle, fled officers before intentionally striking an unmarked police vehicle, causing a concussion to the officer.

Mitchell will be required to provide a DNA sample, remain law-abiding, and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. All fines and surcharges were waived.

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