Rochester Man Sentenced For Fleeing Police in 2020

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man who rammed a police officer with a vehicle has been placed on probation - and given a chance to change his conviction from a felony to a misdemeanor.

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27-year-old Dawante Atkins was sentenced Thursday for his conviction of fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in 2020. He was placed on probation for five years and if he successfully completes his conditions, his record will reflect a misdemeanor conviction.

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The incident began as a traffic stop that ended in an apartment building parking lot. As an officer was approaching his car, Atkins drove at him. He struck the officer and he flew over the top of the vehicle and landed on the pavement. Atkins then rammed two squad cars and an officer fired a gun. After Atkins stopped in a nearby field, a taser was used to subdue him. The officer he hit was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Court records indicate Atkins has been convicted of driving with a revoked license 21 times since 2016, including 9 times since February 2019.