St. Paul, MN (March 4, 2026) – One person died, and several others were injured early Wednesday, March 4, after a crash involving a sheriff’s deputy in downtown St. Paul. The collision occurred near the intersection of Robert Street and East 12th Street, close to Regions Hospital.
Authorities said the incident began late Tuesday night when officers spotted a vehicle reported stolen near Seventh Street East and Maria Avenue in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood. Officers followed the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop near Interstate 94 and Highway 280, but the driver fled westbound on the interstate.
While responding to assist with the incident, a Ramsey County sheriff’s deputy was driving with emergency lights and sirens activated. Investigators said the squad car collided with another vehicle.
The driver of the struck vehicle was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead. One passenger suffered serious injuries, while another passenger sustained injuries described as not life-threatening. The deputy was also taken to a hospital, though details about the deputy’s condition have not been fully released.
Authorities later stopped the fleeing stolen vehicle using a PIT maneuver, and the 27-year-old driver was taken into custody.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased truck driver.
How Emergency Vehicle Responses Can Lead to Complex Crashes
Crashes involving emergency vehicles sometimes occur when officers respond to urgent incidents with lights and sirens activated. These responses often require traveling quickly through intersections or congested streets while other drivers attempt to yield.
Intersections can be especially dangerous during emergency responses because drivers approaching from different directions may not immediately see or hear a responding vehicle. Buildings, traffic noise, or heavy traffic can limit awareness and reaction time.
When a collision involves an emergency vehicle and another car, investigators often review several factors. These may include vehicle speed, signal timing at the intersection, and whether drivers had sufficient time to react. Crash reconstruction and scene evidence can help determine how the vehicles approached and why the impact occurred.
