Police: Rochester Man ‘Panicked’ After Seeing Squad Car
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man was arrested Wednesday evening on a felony fleeing police charge after the car he was driving crashed into two other vehicles in the parking lot on the west side of Silver Lake Park while a Rochester police officer was attempting to stop him for suspected drunk driving.
Police Captain Casey Moilanen says the officer turned around and attempted to pull over the car driven by 27-year-old Devin Garrison after witnessing erratic driving in the 600 block of West Silver Lake Drive shortly after 7 PM. The arrest report says Garrison responded by pulling into the parking lot where another vehicle was blocking his path. The officer stated Garrison attempted to go around the other vehicle, which caused his car to drive up on a curb and collide with a car parked in the lot.
Captain Moilanen says Garrison then collided with a parked minivan, apparently prompting his passenger to jump out of his car. Garrison then back up before crashing into the minivan a second time and, again, hit the curb before he finally stopped the vehicle. The arrest report says the officer smelled alcohol on him and Garrison failed a field sobriety test before he was transported to the Olmsted County jail, where a breath test put his blood-alcohol-concentration at .06.
The arresting officer noted that Garrison told him he was just off parole and became nervous and panicked when he saw the police car behind him.
News Update: Rochester Man Charged With Wisconsin Woman's Murder