Shocking video has been released showing the moment that a driver recklessly fleeing from police crashes into a playground and injures three children.
The Minnesota State Patrol on Tuesday released the dashcam video of the June 11 crash, saying it had completed an investigation finding that the pursuit was within agency guidelines.
Driver Kabaar Wahleen Asim Ross Powell Jr, 27, had been driving without a license since 2014 when he attempted to flee a patrolman who tried to pull him over for speeding on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis.
The six-minute pursuit ended when the driver barrels into playground equipment at Jenny Lind Elementary School, striking three siblings, ages two, three and four. The children were seriously injured but survived.
Driver Kabaar Wahleen Asim Ross Powell Jr, 27, pleaded guilty to two counts of fleeing an officer and was sentenced to nearly three years in prison
Powell fled police in the six minute car chase before veering into Jenny Lind Elementary
With disregard for the families present, the fleeing driver barrels across the playground
The SUV strikes a swing set and becomes entangled, but Powell continues to flee on foot
State Patrol Chief Colonel Matt Langer said that while seeing troopers drive fast is uncomfortable viewing, there are times when it is required to mitigate greater potential risks.
The video shows Powell’s SUV veering into a park toward a family on the grass, and striking a playground swing set.
State Patrol says it will not release close-up video of the exact moment the children were hit.
Powell is seen fleeing on foot away from the crash scene before he is apprehended by troopers not far from the park.
At Powell’s sentencing in August, the injured children’s parents, Kyle and Nicolle Peltier, told him that their lives will never be the same.
The SUV was disabled after getting entangled in the swing set. A Minnesota state trooper is seen investigating the scene in the aftermath of the chase
A trooper chases Powell on foot after he hit three kids and ditched his SUV
Powell is seen fleeing on foot after ditching his SUV on the playground
State troopers (circled) tackle Powell and place him in custody after the car and foot chase
Kyle Peltier was at the playground with their seven children on the day of the June 11 crash.
‘I watched helplessly as my children were run over,’ Kyle Peltier said. He said his older children no longer want to go the playground. ‘We have a rough life now,’ he said.
Powell declined to speak at sentencing leaving the stunned family without an apology for his actions, the Star Tribune reported.
He agreed to accept a longer sentence than usual, but is expected to serve less than two years before being released. He would have received probation under regular guidelines.
State troopers tried to stop Powell for speeding on Interstate 94, but authorities say he tried to flee.
He got off the highway, speeding through 22 stop signs and tearing through tennis courts before smashing into the playground near Jenny Lind Elementary School on the city’s north side, hitting young Kayden, Konnor and Lillianna Peltier.
The most seriously injured child, two-year-old Kayden Peltier, was nearly paralyzed
Kayden went through a lengthy recovery but was released from the hospital in August
Young Kayden, Konnor and Lillianna Peltier were all injured in the playground crash
Nicolle Peltier said of the two children seriously injured, ‘their ultimate goal in life is to learn how to play and be normal’
The most seriously injured child, two-year-old Kayden Peltier, left the hospital in August.
He was nearly paralyzed but can now walk with assistance. His mother said he has a traumatic brain injury.
Four-year-old Lillianna Peltier suffered multiple abrasions as well as bleeding on the brain. Three-year-old Konnor Peltier also was hit but suffered less serious injuries.
Nicolle Peltier said of the two children seriously injured, ‘their ultimate goal in life is to learn how to play and be normal.’
Powell pleaded guilty to two counts of fleeing an officer. He is serving a 33-month prison sentence and has an expected release date of April 13, 2020.