Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
MPR News Staff

Woman accused of ramming, attempting to take state trooper's gun along I-35E

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

A Maplewood woman faces three felony charges of intentionally running her car into a Minnesota state trooper's squad car as he sat belted in it along Interstate 35E in St. Paul. The criminal complaint filed Thursday says Andrea Perez, 47, also tried to take the trooper's gun.

Perez was charged with use of deadly force, assault with a deadly weapon in the second degree and attempting to disarm a peace officer in the incident Tuesday afternoon.

Ramsey County prosecutors say Trooper Zachary Hill was parked in his marked car at 3:36 p.m., "entirely" on the right shoulder of I-35E near the Arlington Avenue exit, when a Hyundai Sonata hit the rear of his squad. Hill reported he did not hear brakes and felt a pain in his back.

Hill found Perez bent over the steering wheel's air bag. When he asked if she was OK, Perez told Hill, "You're going to have to shoot me because this isn't going to end well." Then she added that she wanted to be shot because she hit the trooper "on purpose," according to a transcript of squad car audio in the criminal complaint.

But as Hill moved his holstered gun away from the woman, she reached for it and the two struggled. Only after two men stopped to help was Hill able to get Perez to the ground and handcuff her.

Prosecutors say a witness confirmed the Sonata rammed the patrol squad and that a woman grabbed for the trooper's weapon. Squad car video also shows the car veering toward Hill's vehicle, the complaint said. The roads were clear at the time of the incident.

Perez remains hospitalized. Trooper Hill was examined for injuries and released.