A 24-year-old Bricelyn man was arrested following a high-speed chase that started in rural Faribault County, went into northern Iowa and ended back in Minnesota.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for an equipment violation at the intersection of 530th Avenue and 30th Street in rural Bricelyn around 10 p.m. Wednesday.
The driver of the vehicle, Challen Alfredo Bena Hernandez, reportedly ignored the deputy’s emergency lights and sirens.
Bena Hernandez continued traveling south on 530th Avenue into Iowa, says a news release, and led deputies on a 21-mile chase in northern Winnebago County with speeds reaching 80 miles per hour.
The pursuit would re-enter Minnesota at the intersection of Highway 22 and 10th Street, according to authorities.
Bena Hernandez rammed into a deputy’s squad pickup twice when deputies tried to slow and stop his vehicle.
Authorities continued chasing Bena Hernandez into Kiester, through the city’s streets and alleyways for about four miles before leaving the city going west on 35th Street.
Bena Hernandez reportedly lost control of his vehicle at the intersection of 560th Avenue, struck a second county squad pickup and went into a ditch.
A third county squad pickup made contact with Bena Hernandez’s vehicle to prevent him from fleeing, according to authorities.
Bena Hernandez is currently being held in the county jail and faces probable felony charges of:
- first-degree driving while intoxicated — test refusal – three or more DWIs within the past 10 years;
- fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle;
- first-degree assault – attempted deadly force on a peace officer;
- second-degree assault — dangerous weapon;
- first-degree criminal damage to property – public safety vehicle;
- and gross misdemeanor, driving after cancellation.
The Wells Police Department assisted county authorities and the incident remains under investigation with the help of the Minnesota State Patrol.