Posted: 2/6/07
Teens thrown from car
Two Caledonia teens in a 1999 Pontiac Sunfire were badly injured Saturday, February 3 about 3:30 am when the driver lost control of the small car on a gravel road and the car flipped several times.
The driver, Justin Daniel Vincek, age 14, and his passenger, Tara Janelle Klinski, age 13, were listed in critical condition by the Minnesota State Patrol. Gundersen-Lutheran Medical Center declined to update their condition reports Monday, though a local police officer said he was going to interview the boy.
Caledonia policeman Allan Johnson had stopped the car moments before on North First Street and was approaching the car when the driver stomped on the accelerator and took off, said Police Chief Randy Shefelbine. A video camera in the police car recorded the subsequent chase through Caledonia, along Highway 44 and on to Houston County Road 20. At that point, the policeman backed off his chase, said Shefelbine, and the cars were moving an estimated 40 mph when the driver, who police believe was Vincek, lost control of the car. It rolled several times before coming to rest.
Vincek and Klinski, who were not seat belted, were thrown clear.
Vincek was transported to the hospital by MedLink helicopter and Klinski was transported by Tri-State Ambulance.
The Minnesota State Patrol will investigate the scene of the crash, while Caledonia police will complete the general investigation.
"I saw (the chase) on tape," said Chief Shefelbine during an interview on Monday. "I think (officer Johnson) used excellent discretion" during his pursuit.
Shefelbine said officers consider the nature of the situation before pursuing another vehicle. In this case, an unknown driver attempted to escape the scene of a traffic stop, and drove erratically, weaving and ignoring stop signs. Top speed during the chase was 80 to 85 mph and generally lower, said Shefelbine. Once the driver was on a gravel road, the officer slowed down, he added.
"When they take off like that" from a traffic stop, an officer expects the worst, said Shefelbine. But, he added, officers are not quick to be involved in hazardous chase.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com