The latest on the serious drunk driving crash on Cliff Road in Eagan
Mug shot for Scott Andrew Kahnke
EAGAN, MINNESOTA - According to the criminal complaint, on March 26, 2023, witnesses state they saw, who was later identified as 52-year-old Scott Kahnke of Apple Valley, in a black jeep traveling eastbound on Cliff Road at a high rate of speed when he struck from behind a black sedan before it entered the intersection of Cliff Road and Slater Road. Witnesses state that they thought he was going more than 100 mph. The force of the crash sent the black sedan across the intersection and into another stationary vehicle in the left turn lane of westbound Cliff Road. The driver in the turn lane confirmed this statement and said the black sedan went over the median and into his car. Witnesses stated the jeep continued eastbound on Cliff Road before going airborne and crashing into the ditch on the north side of Cliff Road just before the southbound off-ramp of Highway 77. Several witnesses to the crash reported seeing Kahnke flee on foot east away from the crash.
According to the criminal complaint, around 9:48 PM, an Eagan Police Officer who happened to be in the area observed a Kahnke's black jeep in the ditch against the telephone pole. When the Officer turned around to check for injuries, he noticed the black sedan near the Cliff Road and Slater Road intersection. Two minutes later, he would receive a call from the Dakota County Dispatch for a significant crash at that location. The Eagan Police Officer went over to check on the black sedan, which had substantial rear-end damage. The officer reported seeing a frantic 17-year-old female reaching into the sedan's backseat for what the Officer would learn was her 13-year-old sister. The Officer reported the younger sister was reported to be unconscious but was breathing and had a pulse. The younger sister also had a laceration on her head. The Officer observed very little room in the car's back seat following the force of impact from the crash. Eagan Fire Department and emergency personnel got the younger sister out of the vehicle and transported her to Regions Hospital, where she is currently in a coma and intubated. Preliminary records show she suffered a fractured collar bone, lacerations to her head, and head trauma due to the crash. The older sister also suffered head lacerations. The driver of the stationary vehicle was not reported to have any injuries.
Once police learned that the Kahnke fled the scene, the criminal complaint states they established a perimeter in the area and began to search for the suspect, described by witnesses as a white male. An Officer would later observe a male limping across Nicols Road near Cliff Road, about a half mile from the crash scene. The Officer reportedly called Kahnke's name, and he turned around. Kahnke was detained without incident. The Officer observed burrs on his clothing, the clothing was wet, and he smelled of alcohol. Following being provided his Miranda Warning, Kahnke reportedly agreed to give a statement and said he was driving home after visiting a few bars. He confirmed he was driving the jeep, but he could not remember what led up to the crash or the crash. The Officer reported that Kahnke had slurred speech and difficulty maintaining a conversation and balance. The Officer asked Kahnke if he felt intoxicated, which Kahnke agreed he did. Kahnke admitted to drinking beers that day and was found with the key fob to the jeep on him when he was arrested. A search warrant was obtained, and a sample of Kahkne's blood was taken.
Scott Kahnke was officially charged today in court with one felony count of Criminal Vehicular Operation Resulting in Great Bodily Harm (Negligence and Under the Influence of Alcohol) and one count of a gross misdemeanor for Criminal Operation Resulting in Bodily Harm ((Negligence and Under the Influence of Alcohol).
The felony has a maximum sentence of 0-5 years and/or $3,000.00 - $10,000.00. The gross misdemeanor has a maximum sentence of 0-1 year and/or $900.00 - $3,000.00
Below, you will find our original story.
EAGAN, MINNESOTA - Around 9:50 PM on Sunday, March 26, 2023, several reports came into the Dakota County 911 dispatch for a major multi-vehicle crash at Slater Road and Cliff Road intersection in Eagan, Minnesota. The accident involved three vehicles; two were located in the westbound lane of Cliff Road just before the intersection of Slater Road. The third vehicle was in the ditch just before the off-ramp of southbound Highway 77 and had hit a telephone pole.
It is reported that one white suspect fled the scene after the accident. Eagan Police at the scene of the crash confirmed that one suspect involved in the crash was apprehended and arrested a few minutes later near the Holiday Gas Station off Nichols Road and Cliff Road in Eagan, Minnesota. The location the suspect was taken into custody was about 1500 feet to the east of the accident scene on the other side of Hwy 77. The Eagan Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, and Eagan Fire Department responded to this accident. Cliff Road was closed from the southbound ramps of Highway 77 to Slater Road. The road has since reopened as of midnight on Monday, March 27th.
Details are limited at this time as to what caused the crash as police continue to investigate. We have contacted the Eagan Police Department for more information regarding this major crash and will continue to update this story as more information is made available. We know at least two victims were transported via ambulance to Regions Hospital. Their conditions or the total number of victims in this crash are again not known at this time.