Guilty Plea Entered in Deadly Minnesota Police Pursuit

St. Paul, MN (MinnesotaNow) - A Minneapolis man has pleaded guilty in a case involving a high-speed police chase that resulted in a man's death.

Charged With Fatal Crash

Thirty-year-old Lorenzo Leontay Washington was arrested in December 2024 and charged with criminal vehicular homicide and felony counts of fleeing police. He entered into a plea agreement today in Ramsey County Court and admitted to a single count of fleeing police resulting in death in exchange for the dismissal of the other charges.

READ MORE: Man Charged in Deadly St. Paul Police Chase Held on $300K Bail

Fleeing State Trooper

According to court documents, Washington was attempting to elude State Troopers when he lost control of his car, which jumped a curb and then entered the parking lot of a church, where it collided with a parked vehicle. Thirty-six-year-old Day Por Tho of St. Paul was inside the parked vehicle and was fatally injured when he was ejected during the crash.

Tried to Flee on Foot

The criminal complaint against Washington says a Ramsey County deputy estimated that he was traveling at approximately 90 mph before the crash. The charges against him also alleged that Washington fled on foot following the deadly collision but was apprehended nearby.

Speeds Exceeding 100 MPH

The deadly pursuit began shortly before 11:20 p.m. on December 8, 2024, when a State Trooper attempted to pull over Washington for speeding. It was reported that he initially stopped but then sped away at speeds exceeding 100 mph.

Washington is scheduled to be sentenced in August.