Carver County (trfnews.i234.me) – A 22-year-old Garrison man has been sentenced to 39 months in prison following a violent, alcohol-fueled police chase in Chaska and Chanhassen last December—an incident that included intentionally ramming a police vehicle and forcing an officer to dive for cover.
Noah Guy Blegen entered a plea agreement in Carver County District Court, where he admitted guilt to:
-
Second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon (the vehicle)
-
Driving while impaired (DWI)
Charges of first-degree assault against a peace officer and fleeing in a motor vehicle were dismissed as part of the plea deal.
🚨 DECEMBER 2024: ERRATIC DRIVING LEADS TO DANGEROUS PURSUIT
According to the criminal complaint, on December 5, 2024, Blegen was spotted by Chaska Police driving on the wrong side of Yellow Brick Road. He pulled into an Arby’s drive-thru, where an officer approached and noted a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle.
When asked to step out of the car, Blegen fled the scene, jumping a curb and initiating a dangerous pursuit through:
-
Residential neighborhoods
-
Stop signs ignored
-
Government property invaded
The pursuit escalated in the Carver County Government Center parking lot, where Blegen intentionally rammed a squad car as officers attempted to box him in. When one officer exited his squad, Blegen accelerated toward him, forcing the officer to dive behind the car to avoid being struck.
💥 CHASE ENDS IN CRASH AND HOSPITAL ADMISSION
The chase finally ended when Blegen crashed into five parked vehicles at high speed near Audubon Road and Stoughton Avenue in Chanhassen. After being taken into custody and transported to a hospital, Blegen admitted to drinking and driving.
⚖️ PRISON SENTENCE & PLEA AGREEMENT
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Blegen was sentenced to:
-
39 months in prison
-
Credit for 123 days served
-
Court-ordered DNA sample
-
Possible restitution (pending court review)
The plea deal avoided a trial on the more serious charge of first-degree assault against a peace officer—a felony carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News
🔍 Did you know?
-
Second-degree assault with a vehicle is a felony in Minnesota if used to threaten or injure.
-
First-degree assault on a peace officer involves deadly force and is among the most serious charges, often drawing 20-year maximum sentences.
-
Altering pursuit locations, like government property, increases potential charges and risks to public safety.
-
Sentences in Minnesota often allow for “time served” credit if the suspect has already been jailed pre-trial.
-
Police chases involving alcohol and multiple vehicles frequently lead to felony convictions, even when plea deals are reached.