An affidavit in support of arrest reveals more details in the Sioux Falls chase that allegedly led to the suspect being shot and put a highway patrol trooper in critical condition.
The affidavit out of Lincoln County states that at approximately 2:37 am Wednesday, South Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper Andrew Steen, 34, was on patrol on the west side of Sioux Falls in Minnehaha County. Trooper Steen initially observed a Silver Chevy Malibu sit through an entire green light at an intersection and then it drove over the center line.
According to the affidavit, Steen, who was driving a marked patrol car with Highway Patrol decals and an overhead light bar, tried pulling over the suspect, 25-year-old Rachel Coleman. The affidavit alleges Coleman did not stop, a pursuit ensued and Coleman drove at excessive speeds while ignoring traffic control devices.
At about 2:45 am, Coleman pulled into the Windsor Heights Apartment Complex on St. James Drive in Sioux Falls. Coleman appeared to stop and then continued to drive away from Trooper Steen, and Coleman continued to drive through the Empire Mall parking lot.
According to the affidavit, the initial pursuit through Sioux Falls in Minnehaha County continued for approximately 20 minutes.
The chase continued to a parking lot at 57th Street and Western Avenue in Sioux Falls—but in Lincoln County. During the attempt to pull over Coleman, highway patrol vehicles were struck by the suspect's Chevy Malibu. Trooper Steen's front driver side quarter panel, front bumper, and rear quarter panel were damaged.
According to the affidavit, at this point Steen exited his patrol car and tried to stop Coleman. The Chevy Malibu narrowly missed Trooper Steen as he walked past the front of Coleman's car. The affidavit for arrest shows Trooper Steen fired his duty weapon at the vehicle, but the defendant continued to elude. The Chevy Malibu then wrecked into a business called "David Jones" and Trooper Andrew Steen ran towards the Chevy Malibu on foot.
Meanwhile, after Coleman's vehicle crashed into "David Jones", Highway Patrol Trooper Shannon Orth tried stopping the suspect and collided with Coleman's Chevy Malibu.
Trooper Steen approached Coleman's car from the front with his weapon drawn toward the Malibu's windshield. Steen then yelled verbal commands for Coleman to get out of the vehicle.
That is when Coleman allegedly accelerated into Steen and he fired his service weapon towards the Chevy Malibu.
According to affidavit for arrest, Coleman's vehicle accelerated so quickly that it left acceleration marks on the pavement while striking Trooper Steen. Shots were fired by Lincoln County Deputies during the course of these events.
Meanwhile, Lincoln County Deputy Tom Krull was parked to the east where the parking lot meets 57th Street. Deputy Krull said he heard the gun shots and "officer down" information call on the radio and was attempting to set up stop sticks when he noticed the Chevy Malibu coming at him.
Deputy Krull also fired his duty weapon at Coleman's car attempting to stop it.
Coleman continued to drive and turned east on 57th Street and then north on Western Avenue and highway patrol troopers continued to pursue. Coleman finally came to a stop in the area of 47th Street and Western Avenue in Sioux Falls where she got out of the Malibu and started running and was quickly apprehended.
Coleman is charged for Attempted Murder in the First Degree, Aggravated Assault Against Law Enforcement Officer, Vehicular Battery, Driving While Intoxicated- fourth, one count of Hit and Run and Aggravated Eluding Law Enforcement Officer.
The DWI charge comes after Department of Criminal Investigation agents spoke with Coleman's boyfriend who said the two were drinking at a bar the previous night. Another person at the bar told DCI Agents that Coleman was drinking beer and had at least three shots of alcohol.
Lincoln County States Attorney Tom Wollman said a court date has not been set yet for Coleman. Wollman said more information will be discussed Monday at the Sioux Falls police briefing in Sioux Falls at 10:30 a.m.
