Suspect jailed in classic car buff's hit-and-run death in Minneapolis also accused of dragging cop

A 27-year-old man has been arrested on accusations that he killed another motorist in a hit-and-run crash last month in north Minneapolis and weeks later dragged a police officer trying to arrest him for driving with stolen license plates.

Presley A. Peltier, of Minneapolis, was apprehended Wednesday morning and remains jailed pending charges in connection with the July 18 collision at the corner of Washington and N. 22nd avenues that killed 55-year-old Andrew W. Hyde, who was riding in his cherished 1964 Chevy Impala convertible at the time.

Peltier is also awaiting charges stemming from the dragging incident about 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the 3600 block of E. 42nd Street, where he lives. His arrest occurred near E. 57th Street and Standish Avenue, according to police records, where he was found with a stolen Ford sedan.

"The efforts of investigators, patrol officers and community members to track and take this dangerous individual off the street is a prime example of this department's determination and commitment to the people of this city and how together, we can make our city safer," Police Chief Brian O'Hara said in a statement announcing the arrest.

"I am again thankful that our officer was not more seriously injured by Mr. Peltier's actions," O'Hara continued, "and I hope this arrest can lead to justice being served — and some closure — for Mr. Hyde's family after his tragic death."

Two days after the collision and close to the crash scene, a fleet of motorcycles and classic cars lined the sides of N. 21st Avenue, as friends and family mourned the Robbinsdale man's death. Some were crying as they hugged each other, with many holding balloons released soon after.

Not long before his death, Hyde was showing another of his classic cars in an auto show. Hyde's friend Sherman Webster said Hyde was always driving around in his prized cars.

"He was real proud; one of the cars he had won a trophy," Webster said.

According to police:

Officers have been on the lookout for Peltier since the deadly crash. On Saturday, they were alerted to a suspicious vehicle in the 3600 block of E. 42nd Street with someone slumped over in the driver's seat. The officers soon determined the plates on the car were stolen, and they told Peltier he was under arrest.

"He immediately began to struggle with officers, placed the car in drive and rapidly accelerated the vehicle forward with one officer partially trapped inside the open driver's door, dragging the officer a short distance until the vehicle rammed into a support pillar of the entryway of a nearby structure," a police statement read.

"As the vehicle then reversed," the statement continued, "the officer was able to extricate himself and rolled away from the vehicle avoiding being run over as the vehicle fled."

Officers, including the one who was injured, gave chase but lost sight of the vehicle. The injured officer went to HCMC for treatment of minor injuries.

"After near misses over the past couple of days," the statement continued, officers learned that Peltier was in south Minneapolis on Tuesday near S. Hiawatha Avenue and E. 36th Street. He drove off when officers attempted to stop him.

Officers soon located the vehicle and Peltier on foot near E. 57th and Standish. He was arrested, taken by emergency medical responders to HCMC after he said he ingested narcotics. He was booked into jail Wednesday night upon his release from the hospital.

Court records in Hennepin County show Peltier has convictions for assault, burglary and theft. He also has cases pending charging him with theft and drugs.

Staff writer Louis Krauss contributed to this report.