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A police chase that started in West St. Paul ended in a deadly crash on Interstate 494 early this morning.
- Chase: At around 4:20 a.m., West St. Paul police began pursuit of a woman in a 2021 Chevy Malibu near the intersection of Robert and Marie. The chase continued south on Robert, then west on Mendota Road, east on Highway 62, and then east on I-494. According to other reports, the chase reached speeds of 90-100 mph, though West St. Paul Police did not confirm those numbers. Police were also not able to share what prompted the chase at this time.
- Crash: The driver of the Malibu, a 39-year-old woman from Hastings, crashed into the back of a semi truck on I-494 east of Highway 52 at a “high rate of speed.”
- Injuries: The woman was transported to the hospital and died from her injuries. The driver of the semi truck was not injured.
- Traffic: The crash resulted in eastbound I-494 traffic being diverted off the highway at the 7th Street exit and then back on at 5th Street. The freeway reopened to traffic at 7:30 a.m.
- History: This is the second fatal crash following a pursuit by West St. Paul police since September. The department does have a 13-page vehicle pursuit policy based on state standards. In September, Police Chief Brian Sturgeon said chases have become much less frequent.
Nov. 19, 2024 Update: Cause of Stop
The West St. Paul Police Department released additional information today about the nature of the stop and chase:
- Police noticed a vehicle stopped on Robert Street at a green light. The driver appeared to be passed out. When the vehicle didn’t move, police pulled up behind it and turned on their lights. The vehicle then took off.
- At one point the vehicle jumped the median on Robert Street and appeared to try hitting a northbound semi truck, but missed. The vehicle crossed back to the southbound lanes and continued.
- On I-494, the fleeing driver was in the right lane and swerved to hit the semi in the left lane. Again, it appears the drive intentionally collided with the semi truck.
Nov. 20, 2024 Update: Identity
The woman driving the Chevy Malibu who died has been identified as Elisa Rae Norton.
Editor’s note: This story is based on police accounts available at the time, which may change and can inherently give a one-sided report of the incident.
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