An 18-year-old man has been charged with a felony after Minnesota State Patrol troopers say he led officers on a high-speed motorcycle run that reached 141 mph on a Ramsey County stretch of Interstate 35E and continued into St. Paul, court documents show.
What happened
According to the criminal complaint filed in Ramsey County Court, troopers observed two motorcycles traveling at 141 mph in a 60 mph zone at about 10:37 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28. The motorcycles were headed northbound on I-35E from Interstate 494.
Troopers coordinated an attempt to stop both bikes. One trooper positioned on a ramp from Highway 13 to northbound I-35E reported activating emergency lights and sirens as a motorcycle accelerated away. The complaint alleges the rider continued to flee, lane-splitting and reaching roughly 100 mph into St. Paul before the trooper lost sight of the motorcycle near Grand Avenue and discontinued the pursuit for safety reasons.
How the suspect was located
Dispatch later reported the motorcycle had exited to Grand Avenue and traveled westbound. A Community Service Officer with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office located the motorcycle near the campus of St. Catherine University (commonly called St. Kate’s) and followed it to a dormitory, the complaint states. Campus Safety staff provided video showing the motorcycle arriving at the dorm about a minute after it left Grand Avenue.
Officers say a woman admitted letting the driver into the building. Authorities identified the rider as Sawyer Brooks Beinner Moudry, 18. Court papers say Moudry was taken into custody and that he
"admitted to driving fast and recklessly on Interstate 35E, but denied seeing police behind him."
Charges and potential consequences
Moudry faces a felony charge of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle. The complaint notes that the offense carries a maximum sentence of more than three years in prison or a $5,000 fine, or both. The criminal filing also describes the high speeds involved and the alleged lane-splitting behavior — details prosecutors may weigh when deciding how to proceed.
| Detail | Reported |
|---|---|
| Recorded top speed | 141 mph |
| Speed limit | 60 mph |
| Time | About 10:37 p.m., July 28 |
| Location where motorcycle was found | Dorm near St. Catherine University (St. Paul) |
Public-safety context and community impact
High-speed chases and dangerous riding on area freeways have clear public-safety implications for St. Paul residents and commuters. The complaint underscores that troopers intentionally ended the active pursuit when losing sight of the motorcycle made continued following too risky. Even when pursuit is terminated, locating a suspect in populated areas — as occurred here — raises questions about bystander safety and campus security.
- Troopers initially recorded the apparent speed at 141 mph on I-35E.
- The pursuit entered St. Paul and the trooper lost sight of the motorcycle near Grand Avenue.
- Campus Safety video and a Ramsey County deputy helped officers locate the motorcycle at a dorm near St. Kate’s shortly afterward.
The complaint also includes a statement from a woman who told police she had known Moudry for three months, said he enjoyed riding fast and that they had not planned to meet that night. She told officers he called her at 10:44 p.m. and arrived two minutes after the chase ended, according to the filing.
As the case moves through Ramsey County Court, prosecutors will determine whether to pursue the felony fleeing charge and any additional allegations. For now, the filing highlights the risks high-speed motorcycling places on other drivers, pedestrians, and the law enforcement officers who respond.
Local residents with concerns about traffic safety on I-35E and surrounding corridors may wish to follow court filings and statements from the Minnesota State Patrol and Ramsey County Sheriff's Office for updates.
