Man who fled police, jumped off bridge is charged

A man who jumped off the Eisenhower Bridge while trying to evade police Thursday has been charged with theft and fleeing a peace officer.

Daniel Donno, 38, was charged Friday in district court with theft of a motor vehicle, which has a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both, and with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, which carries the same maximum penalties. His next court appearance is set for June 1.

At 1:55 a.m. Thursday, Red Wing police tried to stop Donno on Highway 61 near Green Spring Road for speeding and driving conduct. Donno set off a pursuit throughout the area, eventually leading authorities to the Highway 63 bridge.

The chase had been called off, but then Donno got out of the vehicle and jumped into the river. He eventually was arrested.

The vehicle Donno was driving had been stolen from Carl Hemphill, 2906 Lake St., between 8 p.m. Wednesday and 1:55 a.m. Thursday. The man did not know his car was missing, according to the complaint.

Official court documents list Donno’s address in Welch, but residents say he has not lived there since 2002.

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