A St. Paul man accused of crashing his truck into a police squad car and injuring two officers after drinking and driving this past fall has pleaded guilty to the crime.
Daniel Sanchez Mendes, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, in Ramsey County District Court on Tuesday.
Mendes was driving a red 2004 Nissan Titan pickup when he collided with a St. Paul police squad car at Seventh and Madison streets Oct. 10, court documents say.
One of the officers involved estimated the truck was traveling “well above” the 35 mph speed limit at the time of the crash. He said he didn’t hear the truck honk or brake before impact and that he saw the driver flee the scene afterward.
Police found seven empty beer cans and an empty beer bottle inside the car. One of the cans was cold to the touch and had liquid inside.
A man who knew Mendes reportedly told police he saw Mendes in the area after the crash and Mendes appeared intoxicated. The man added that Mendes told him he had been involved in the accident.
Mendes was sentenced for a DWI in Hennepin County in 2013 and had his license revoked twice in 2008 for having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.
The two officers involved were in a Ford Explorer traveling on West Seventh Street when the crash occurred.
One officer suffered rib pain and the other a possible ruptured eardrum. Both were treated at Regions Hospital and released.
Mendes is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 26.