MINNEAPOLIS - Three young children are hospitalized, two with life-threatening injuries, after being struck by a vehicle fleeing State Troopers during a pursuit Monday morning.
State Patrol Captain Jason Bartell confirms that a trooper on I-94 attempted to pull over the driver of a black Ford Expedition for a traffic violation about 9:30 a.m. Bartell says that driver refused to stop, instead taking the 53rd Street exit and speeding into north Minneapolis.
The trooper and another backup squad followed the suspect, a 27-year-old from Richfield, who eventually drove into Bohanon Park near 50th and Dupont Avenue. He allegedly drove across tennis and basketball courts before running into a group of siblings by a swing set on the playground.
Captain Bartell confirms that at least two of the children were transported to North Memorial Hospital. A 2-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl, both from St. Paul, have life-threatening injuries. Another 3-year-old boy, also from Saint Paul, suffered non-life threatening injuries but was still taken to North Memorial Hospital.
Family member Devin Brinkley tells the Star Tribune that 2-year-old Kayden Peltier was in critical condition heading into surgery at a Robbinsdale hospital Monday night. He says 4-year-old Lillianna Peltier was stable with bleeding on the brain.
Brinkley was unsure of 3-year-old Konnor Peltier's condition. The patrol has said he was less seriously hurt
After striking the children, the man tried to run but was caught and arrested. Both suffered minor injuries taking the suspect into custody. A search of the Expedition turned up a handgun. A Minnesota Department of Public Safety spokesperson said Tuesday the driver had a revoked license. In fact, he hadn't held a valid license since the summer of 2014, the spokesperson confirmed.
Images from the scene show the black Ford Expedition tangled in a swing set and the playground wrapped in police tape. At least 10 State Patrol cruisers were on the scene all morning, including a team of accident reconstruction specialists.
Bartell told reporters he is not sure what the original violation was that set off the pursuit, but said the patrol's pursuit policy is re-examined following every incident like this. He also sent thoughts and prayers from the State Patrol to the young victims and their families.