SLP Man Charged After Allegedly Driving Drunk, Fleeing Police

A 39-year-old St. Louis Park man has been charged with fleeing a police officer—a felony—for allegedly driving drunkenly off the road, then running into bushes to hide.

According to a criminal complaint, a St. Louis Park squad car began following a vehicle going down Excelsior Boulevard too fast on Friday at around 1:15 a.m. The driver, later identified as Dahir Mohamud Dirie, allegedly kept driving after the officer flipped on emergency lights and the siren.

Dirie then attempted to turn onto 36th Street, the complaint states, but lost control because the car was going too fast. The vehicle curved into the grass and crashed into railroad tracks.

Dirie allegedly ran from the car and hid in nearby bushes, but later came out when officers started to search the area with K-9s. The complaint states that Dirie told police, “I’m sorry. I’m drunk.” He was allegedly slurring his speech, and had watery, bloodshot eyes.

Dirie initially refused to take a Breathalyzer test, the complaint states, but changed his mind and blew a .103, which is over the legal limit. He allegedly refused to provide a follow-up blood or urine sample.

The suspect was arrested and transported to Hennepin County jail, but he has since been released. Dirie is scheduled to appear in court for an omnibus hearing on Oct. 28.