Minivan covered in sludge after launching into lake during police chase

HUDSON, Wis. (KMSP) - A Blaine, Minn. woman launched her now sludge-covered minivan off a boat landing and into a lake off the St. Croix River to end a multi-agency police chase early Thursday morning.

At about 2 a.m., a Maplewood police officer tried to stop a Honda Odyssey at White Bear Avenue and Highway 36 for an equipment violation and speeding. The driver, Candace M. Maunu, 35, fled onto 694 eastbound at over 100 miles per hour before getting onto I-94.

At about 2:15 a.m., Maunu drove into Wisconsin on I-94 from Minnesota and exited onto Highway 35, driving north into Hudson. She headed downtown and turned onto the Lake Mallalieu boat landing, stopped briefly, then drove into the river tributary. Two Woodbury officers and a Washington County deputy jumped into the water and pulled Maunu out as the minivan sank. She was brought to the landing, arrested and charged with DWI and taken to the St. Croix County Jail.

There was no one else in the minivan, which was pulled from the lake and is being held at the Hudson Police Department.

The Ramsey County Attorney's Office will review the case and consider charges for fleeing police and driving with a suspended license. She has previous convictions for driving with a suspended license, credit card fraud and financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

Maplewood police, Woodbury police, Washington County sheriff’s officials, Minnesota and Wisconsin State Patrol officials, St. Croix County sheriff’s officials, Hudson Fire, and the St. Croix EMS/Rescue-dive team all assisted.