On November 9, at approximately 7:40 a.m., Big Lake Officer Sam Norlin observed a motor vehicle traveling southbound on Eagle Lake Rd. at a high rate of speed. Officer Norlin clocked the vehicle at 47mph in a 30mph zone. Officer Norlin activated his emergency lights and turned around to stop the vehicle. 

Norlin caught up to the vehicle, which at this time was traveling at approximately 60mph. The vehicle accelerated over a hill and was unable to turn at a curve in the road. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree in front of a residence on Crescent Ave. 

The male driver, Virgil Klinkner, 32 of Rice, fled from the vehicle and ran through yards and behind houses. Officer Norlin gave numerous commands for Klinkner to stop, but he ignored the commands and kept running. A short time later, Sherburne County Dispatch received a call from a homeowner that a person was running along the lake. Officers located Klinkner and took him into custody.  

Klinkner claimed he had a heart condition and could not breathe. Officer Norlin contacted an ambulance and Klinkner was transported to Monticello Hospital. Officer Norlin observed Klinkner’s pupils to be constricted. A Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) was administered and showed a reading of .000. Officer Norlin drafted a search warrant and a sample of Klinkner’s blood was obtained. Klinkner admitted he had relapsed on methamphetamine and was going through a hard time with his divorce and living situation. 

During the inventory search of the vehicle, Officer Norlin observed that the airbags had deployed. Officer Norlin saw a black zipper pouch that contained; two hypodermic needles, and a small clear baggie and three yellow baggies with black residue. 

After being discharged from the hospital, Klinkner was transported to the Sherburne County Jail. 

Klinkner was charged by criminal complaint with; Felony Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle, Gross Misdemeanor DWI, Misdemeanor Possession of Hypodermic Needles, Misdemeanor Fleeing a Peace Officer on Foot, and Misdemeanor Driving After Revocation.