Man Sentenced for Fleeing Police, Crashing Head-On into Motorist
A Saint Paul man has been sentenced for fleeing police officers in Cottage Grove in a stolen vehicle before crashing head-on into another vehicle near McKnight Road and Interstate 94 in Saint Paul more than two years ago.
Sam Rodriguez Arteaga, 32, earlier pled guilty to multiple charges including fleeing a police officer and criminal vehicular operation resulting in injury. A judge sentenced Arteaga to 19 months in prison with 193 days credited for time served. According to court records, Artega will be released in December 2023.
In a criminal complaint, police allege Arteaga was driving near the area of 80th Street South and Hinton Avenue South in Cottage Grove when an officer on patrol determined the license plate on the vehicle was stolen. A traffic stop was initiated, but Arteaga fled at a high rate of speed into Saint Paul before crashing into another vehicle.
The criminal complaint says a passenger of the other vehicle, as well as a passenger in Arteaga’s vehicle each sustained spinal fractures as a result of the crash.
Arteaga was taken into custody and while being booked into custody, he admitted to being under the influence of methamphetamine.
Officers were able to determine the license plates and the vehicle Arteaga was driving were both stolen from an address in Ramsey County. Arteaga also had a warrant out for his arrest at the time of the pursuit.
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