MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 20-year-old man was killed and a 24-year-old was seriously hurt after a suspected drunk driver being chased by authorities hit another car in downtown Minneapolis early Monday morning, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
Authorities said the crash happened just before 1 a.m. Monday on 4th Street SE and Central Avenue in downtown Minneapolis.
The State Patrol said a trooper initiated a traffic stop on a white 1997 Nissan Maxima for speeding and suspicion of drunk driving. After initially stopping, the driver fled the scene through Minneapolis and a chase ensued.
The suspected drunk driver, identified by authorities as 34-year-old Yia Her of St. Paul, crashed into a black 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue at 4th Street and Central Avenue, killing that vehicle’s driver and seriously hurting the passenger. Authorities said Her suffered non-life threatening injuries.
The victim was identified by authorities as Brody A. Sotona of Spring Valley, Wis. His passenger is a 24-year-old Stillwater man.
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is taking over the investigation of the crash.
