Albert Lea woman charged with leading police on chase

Published 10:43 am Wednesday, November 2, 2016

An Albert Lea woman was charged Monday in Freeborn County District Court after reportedly leading officers on a chase that reached speeds of more than 50 mph on Saturday.

Dorothy Marie Lund, 69, was charged with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and two counts of third-degree driving while intoxicated. 

Dorothy Lund

Dorothy Lund

Court documents state that an Albert Lea Police Department officer was heading west on East Main Street at the intersection with Garfield Avenue at about 7:46 p.m. Saturday, when he noticed a damaged vehicle with no passenger headlight and netting dragging beneath a front bumper facing west on East Main Street.

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The vehicle reportedly stayed stopped at a green light, and the officer then turned around on the vehicle and could not see any movement in the vehicle.

The vehicle reportedly went through the green light after the officer activated his emergency lights and pulled behind the vehicle for approximately 10 seconds.

Court documents state the vehicle then accelerated, and speeds reportedly reached more than 50 mph in a 30 mph zone.

The vehicle allegedly crossed the fog line multiple times and approached a vehicle on the right-hand shoulder.

Court documents state the vehicle drove away from the officer again, after the officer commanded the driver to roll down the window and not go anywhere.

The chase reportedly continued another two blocks, until another vehicle pulled in front of the vehicle, forcing it to pull into Casey’s gas station.

Court documents state Lund was ordered to exit the vehicle but failed to follow instructions. An officer reportedly observed her to be unsteady on her feet, having bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.

Lund reportedly admitted to having a couple of drinks and did not cooperate with field-sobriety tests or a PBT test.

Court documents state that Lund tested at .16 blood-alcohol content after she was transported to the Freeborn County jail.

Lund was released on her own recognizance Monday.

Her next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 10.

Fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle carries a maximum sentence of three years and one day in prison and a $5,000 fine.

About Sam Wilmes

Sam Wilmes covers crime, courts and government for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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