The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating an overnight traffic fatality in Austin.

According to an Austin Police Department press release, Darren Douglas Shaw, 25, of Austin, was killed in the mishap. He was alone in the vehicle.

At 1:45 a.m. today, an Austin officer attempted to make a traffic stop that involved a 1991 black sport utility vehicle.

The officer, patrolman Todd A. Clennon, notified the communications dispatch center that he was in the 1100 block of Fourth Street SW, when the pursuit began.

"The driver of the vehicle refused to stop for the officer and continued eastbound on Fourth Avenue SW to Fourth Street SW, where the vehicle then turned south," reported Police Chief Paul M. Philipp in the press release.

The officer pursued the vehicle with emergency lights and sirens activated.

"As the pursuit entered the 900 block of Fourth Street SW, the officer notified his supervisor that he may be terminating the pursuit due to the speed of the subject vehicle," Philipp continued.

The driver then lost control of his vehicle, striking a tree in the 1100 block of Fourth Street SW. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to police, the pursuit lasted 60 seconds with the pursued vehicle reaching speeds up to 60 miles per hour.

Clennon was the only officer to pursue the vehicle. The pursuit began when the officer observed a broken tail light, according to the police chief.

The driver had only one other violation, a speeding citation issued in 1998, on his driving record.

The SUV has been impounded in a secure place and, as part of the MSP's investigation, it will be searched.

According to the police chief, "Officer Clennon followed our policy" on pursuits.

Lee Bonorden can be reached at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com