ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) – Roseville Police arrested a 33-year-old St. Paul man after crashing in to another driver during a police chase early Saturday morning.
According to authorities, police tried to pull over Florencio Cordero on eastbound Highway 36 at Victoria Street at 12:28 a.m. for an equipment violation. Cordero exited on the Dale Street ramp, but continued south on Dale while ignoring the pursuing officer.
Cordero fled from officers for another three miles on Dale Street before entering the semaphore light-controlled intersection of Dale and Minnehaha Avenue in St. Paul, where he ran a red light – striking an eastbound car at 60 miles per hours.
The other car burst in to flames on impact, with a 28-year-old female driver trapped inside. Officers rescued the woman before her car became fully engulfed.
Cordero was also found trapped in his car, screaming in pain. St. Paul Firefighters freed him from his vehicle.
Both Cordero and his female victim were taken to a St. Paul-area hospital, where both are being treated for non-life threatening yet substantial bodily injury.
Evidence collected at the scene indicated that Cordero may have consumed alcohol at some point during Friday evening.
Roseville Police will submit their case against Cordero on Monday for probable cause criminal vehicular operation as well as fleeing a police officer resulting in bodily injury.
Authorities are asking the public for information on Cordero’s whereabouts prior to the crash. If you have information, call Crime Stoppers of Minnesota at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or text “Tip674” plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES).
The identities of callers and texters will remain anonymous and a reward for information is possible.
