A Faribault County deputy’s squad pickup was damaged during a high-speed chase reaching up to 100 mph at times and lasting nearly one hour early Thursday morning.
“We were monitoring radio traffic and responded when the suspect was near,” says Scott Adams, Faribault County chief deputy. “The squad pickup was deputy Jacob Pettit’s. I was a couple of squad cars behind.”
Adams says damage to the pickup is estimated at $5,200 and that Pettit, 28, was not injured in the crash.
According to the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Crystal police and deputies responded to a call around 6: 22 am of possible domestic assault in the city.
A citizen reportedly told law officers that a female appeared to have injuries and that the male suspect was sitting in a gray SUV in the area.
Authorities identified the suspect as 45-year-old Fernando Gutierrez of the Mankato area and attempted to make contact with him to investigate the alleged assault because he had a felony warrant in Blue Earth County for motor vehicle theft and domestic assault.
Gutierrez reportedly was alone in the SUV and fled, leading officers on a sustained pursuit on county roads and highways in western Blue Earth County and eastern Watonwan County.
Multiple law enforcement agencies were in pursuit when Gutierrez lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a guardrail on Highway 30 approximately five miles west of Highway 169.
Gutierrez actively resisted arrest, according to authorities, but was taken into custody and transferred to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.
Also assisting at the scene were the Watonwan County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, Amboy Fire Department and Winnebago Area Ambulance.
Gutierrez is being held in the Blue Earth County Jail pending a court appearance on charges related to the pursuit and warrant for his arrest.
