ELY, Minn. — Erik Rust, 38, was arrested following a high-speed chase Sunday in northern Minnesota that ended with a head-on collision with a deputy’s squad car. The incident occurred shortly after Rust was released from jail and violated a domestic abuse no-contact order.
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s office was alerted around 11:51 a.m. about Rust, who was reportedly armed with a crossbow and threatening to harm himself by crashing his vehicle. Rust was wanted on probable cause charges related to a domestic assault and DANCO violation originating in Isanti County.
A deputy spotted Rust driving northbound on Highway 53 near Cotton. When approached, Rust sped up, reaching speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. Multiple law enforcement officers joined the pursuit, using emergency lights, but Rust continued to flee.
Court documents reveal Rust claimed he didn’t intend to evade police but “spaced out” and kept driving to “gather his thoughts.” He avoided stop sticks twice by swerving and was reportedly seen laughing during the chase.
Rust drove through a closed construction zone on Highway 53, damaging signs and barrels before stopping near the Hwy. 53 overpass, which was removed. Turning around, he collided head-on with Deputy Voltzke’s squad car. The crash caused significant damage to both vehicles and injured the deputy’s wrist.
Other officers blocked Rust’s vehicle, preventing escape. He was ordered out and arrested. At the hospital, Rust admitted to retrieving his phone and vehicle from his girlfriend’s home despite an active DANCO prohibiting contact. His driver’s license was also revoked.
Rust acknowledged seeing police vehicles and stop sticks but was afraid to hit them, citing bad brakes and difficulty avoiding the collision with Deputy Voltzke.
Charges against Rust have been filed in Isanti County.
