3 Dead After Teen Crashes Stolen Car Outside Bar: State Patrol

MINNEAPOLIS — Three people are dead after a Minnesota State Patrol chase ended in a crash outside Matt's Bar in Minneapolis early Sunday. Authorities identified the driver of a stolen SUV involved in the collision as 18-year-old Dayquan Jayru Hodge.

Just after 1 a.m., a trooper noticed a stolen silver Ford Escape traveling east near the I-94 tunnel. The trooper followed it without lights and sirens.

The Escape exited southbound from Highway 55 to Cedar Avenue. At the bottom of the ramp, two troopers tried to stop the Escape. The vehicle fled, according to police.

The pursuit ended after about four blocks by a lieutenant who noted a State Patrol helicopter overhead. The Escape continued and crashed moments later into a Dodge Ram going westbound on Cedar near 35th Street.

The three people in the Dodge were killed. A GoFundMe page has been established in their names.

"All we know we loss three beautiful people, caring, and loving to a senseless tragedy," wrote Britni Christenson. "Please take a moment to tell people you love and care for them."

Hodge, the driver of the Escape, is in custody at the Hennepin County Medical Center.

All four passengers of the Escape — ages 13 through 16 — were injured and transported to HCMC. None of the passengers were wearing seat belts, authorities said. Hodge was belted.

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Image via GoFundMe