A Hastings woman is facing felony and misdemeanor charges in Dakota County after authorities say she led deputies on a short pursuit through rural Dakota County before being arrested in Cannon Falls.
Bethany Ariana Emanuelson, 32, of Hastings, has been charged in Dakota County District Court with one count of felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and one count of misdemeanor fourth-degree driving while impaired while under the influence of a controlled substance.
The charges stem from an incident on June 9, when a Dakota County Sheriff’s Office deputy was patrolling in Randolph Township at approximately 1:30 p.m.
According to the criminal complaint, the deputy was near the intersection of 295th Street West and Gaylord Avenue when he saw a white pickup truck traveling at what appeared to be a high rate of speed. The deputy allegedly measured the truck’s speed by radar at 72 mph in a 55 mph zone.
The deputy turned around to follow the truck and later activated emergency lights near the intersection of 292nd Street and Felton Avenue, according to the complaint. Prosecutors allege the truck initially slowed, then accelerated after turning north onto Felton Avenue. The deputy then activated the squad’s siren, but the truck did not stop.
Authorities say the truck continued north on Felton Avenue, then traveled toward Cannon Falls on Highway 52. The pursuit lasted approximately five minutes before an assisting officer deployed stop sticks in an effort to stop the vehicle.
The complaint states the pickup drove over the stop sticks but continued driving for about another minute before stopping on a residential road in Cannon Falls. Deputies then took the driver, identified as Emanuelson, into custody. She was the lone occupant of the vehicle.
During the arrest, the deputy allegedly noticed that Emanuelson appeared unsteady on her feet and was sweating profusely. A records check showed that her driver’s license was revoked and that she had active warrants, according to the complaint.
Deputies later searched the truck and allegedly found several items inside. The complaint states that deputies located alcohol-related items, including bottles of alcohol, along with a marijuana pipe in the driver’s-side door.
An assisting deputy also allegedly found two glass bubble pipes inside the vehicle. According to the complaint, those pipes are commonly used to smoke methamphetamine. One pipe was found in the rear pocket of the front passenger seat, and the other was found in the center console. One of the pipes allegedly contained a dime-sized rock-like substance.
The complaint states Emanuelson agreed to perform field sobriety tests, and prosecutors say her performance indicated possible impairment. According to court documents, Emanuelson admitted to recent methamphetamine use.
After being transported to the Dakota County Jail, Emanuelson also allegedly admitted that she had been speeding.
Deputies later applied for and obtained a search warrant for a blood draw. Emanuelson was transported to a hospital, where a blood sample was collected. Laboratory results from the blood sample were still pending when the complaint was filed.
The felony fleeing charge carries a maximum sentence of three years and one day in prison, a fine of $1,500 to $5,000, or both. The fourth-degree DWI charge carries a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail, a fine of $300 to $1,000, or both.
The complaint was filed June 10 in Dakota County District Court. The document includes an order of detention, indicating Emanuelson was already in custody at the time the complaint was issued.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. Emanuelson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.