Car Plunges Into Mississippi River in Bemidji After Police Chase

A high-speed pursuit through Bemidji streets ended with a vehicle plunging into the Mississippi River on March 14 after the driver reached speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour and crossed a residential yard before entering the water on Monroe Avenue.

According to a news release from the Bemidji Police Department, the chase began at about 1:03 p.m. when officers received a report of an assault happening inside a vehicle traveling north on Paul Bunyan Drive near the Mississippi River bridge. An officer in the area attempted a traffic stop, but the driver fled west on Fifth Street Northwest at approximately 95 miles per hour. Officers pursued the vehicle south on Jefferson Avenue and Carr Lake Road, where speeds climbed above 100 miles per hour before the driver veered onto Monroe Avenue, crossed a yard, and drove into the river.

The vehicle was nearly completely submerged following the crash. A Bemidji Police Department squad car was also visible lodged in the bank. Both suspects escaped through the water and swam to the opposite river bank, where they were taken into custody.

One suspect was identified as a 22-year-old male from Minneapolis. The other suspect, a juvenile, was transported to Sanford Bemidji Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. A police officer was also hurt during the pursuit and was treated for minor injuries, the department's release stated. No charges had been filed as of Thursday afternoon.

The Bemidji Police Department was assisted by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, Bemidji Ambulance Service, the Minnesota State Patrol, the Bemidji Fire Department, and the Beltrami County Communications Center. The status of any pending charges against either suspect had not been confirmed as of publication.