Brooks Chase Ends in Crash, Man Faces Felonies

Brooks (trfnews.i234.me) — A Minneapolis man faces charges after a stolen vehicle pursuit crossed several northwest Minnesota counties.

Matthew Wade Sorenson, 45, was charged in Pennington County District Court.

He faces two felony charges following the September 22 incident.

Those charges include fleeing police in a motor vehicle and possessing stolen property worth more than $5,000.

Sorenson also faces misdemeanor reckless driving and a petty misdemeanor speeding charge.

Vehicle Allegedly Reached 133 MPH

The complaint says the pursuit began after a stolen Ford Taurus was located in Becker County.

Authorities later learned the vehicle was heading toward southern Pennington County.

The pursuit was stopped at one point because of safety concerns.

Another driver then reported the Taurus traveling at a very high speed near Brooks.

A Pennington County deputy soon saw the vehicle, according to the complaint.

Radar allegedly showed the Taurus traveling 133 mph in a 60 mph zone.

Authorities again stopped actively pursuing the vehicle because of its speed and surrounding traffic.

The deputy continued traveling in the same direction.

The complaint says Sorenson later reached a roundabout while still traveling at high speed.

The Taurus struck the roundabout and became airborne.

The vehicle eventually stopped on its passenger side in a ditch.

Authorities ordered Sorenson from the vehicle after the crash.

Sorenson followed the commands and was taken into custody.

He later received medical care for reported back, body and head pain.

Another motorist arrived and spoke with investigators.

That driver said Sorenson nearly forced him off the road.

He also described Sorenson passing him in a dangerous manner.

The 2016 Ford Taurus had been reported stolen earlier that evening.

The vehicle was taken from outside an Ace Hardware store in Detroit Lakes, the complaint states.

Authorities later located it north of Detroit Lakes on Highway 59.

The complaint says the vehicle traveled through Mahnomen, Polk and Pennington counties.

Investigators later learned Sorenson had recently left a Detroit Lakes medical center.

The medical facility is about one block from where the Taurus was reported stolen.

The complaint says authorities detected a strong odor of alcohol after the crash.

Field sobriety testing was limited because Sorenson reported injuries.

A partially consumed bottle of Black Velvet whiskey was allegedly found inside the Taurus.

Investigators later obtained a search warrant for a blood sample.

Readers can search Minnesota court cases through Minnesota Court Records Online.

Minnesota criminal laws are available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.

The charges are allegations and do not establish guilt.

Sorenson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.