Sleepy Eye Police Chief Matt Andres, officer Amber Meyer and investigator Shawn Bohnen were cited for locating a suspect vehicle, maintaining surveillance and ensuring scene security.

“I would like to extend our sincere gratitude for your outstanding assistance during our recent investigation into a criminal vehicular homicide,” wrote Maplewood Public Safety Director and Police Chief Brian Bierdeman. “When our investigators contacted your department regarding the suspects possible presence in Sleepy Eye, you responded with professionalism, speed, and a commitment to public safety…Without your collaboration, valuable evidence and critical time may have been lost.”

Bierdeman added the case stands as a powerful reminder of the strength of law enforcement partnerships across the state.

Andres said his department spent about 2 ½ hours on the case, doing surveillance on the 300 block of Maple St. S.W. and transporting the suspect to Sleepy Eye Medical Center for a blood draw and then to the police station for investigation.

The suspect, Jose Ronald Hernandez Pineda, 46, is accused of fatally striking a 31-year-old man in Maplewood and driving a van to Sleepy Eye. He faces two counts of criminal vehicular homicide in Ramsey County. His bail was set at $1 million.

According to the criminal complaint, the suspect smelled of alcohol when he was arrested. A breathalyzer registered his blood alcohol content at 0.06 after police obtained a warrant for a blood draw. Andres said Hernandez Pineda came to Sleepy Eye to do a roofing project.