Little Canada man who crashed into the Bulldog Lowertown gets probation

A Little Canada man who led authorities on a high-speed chase through downtown St. Paul last spring and then plowed into a pole that crashed into a busy restaurant was sentenced Thursday to three years' probation.

Matthew M. Damman, 32, will also have to serve 180 days in the county workhouse, and narrowly escaped a year in prison. Ramsey County District Judge Diane Alshouse told Damman that although the prosecutor, probation and the five injured victims wanted him to get a year behind bars, she handed down less time because of his efforts to combat his drug and alcohol addiction.

"I was considering the year yesterday…," Alshouse said.

Damman pleaded guilty in November to fleeing a police officer and two counts of criminal vehicular operation under the influence of a controlled substance. He fled a state patrol trooper on I-94, exited into downtown St. Paul, weaving and speeding before he crashed into a pole outside the Bulldog Bar and Restaurant at 6th and Wacouta streets shortly after midnight.

The pole crashed into the restaurant, shattering a large window that sent shards of glass flying into the establishment. Five patrons sitting at a nearby table were thrown across the room and suffered lacerations. One of the patrons had a concussion.

No victim impact statements were read in court Thursday.

When given an opportunity to address the court, Damman apologized to the victims and his family.

Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Elizabeth Lamin argued that Damman should receive a year in prison because of his "unusually egregious" conduct, and his long history of drug and alcohol abuse. In court Thursday, Damman admitted to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana the day of the incident, and to using cocaine the preceding day.

"But for this pole, we would have multiple homicides," Lamin said.

Damman's attorney, Paul Rogosheske, argued that he should receive a sentence common in DWI courts where a defendant serves 90 days in the workhouse the first year and is evaluated the second and third years to determine whether another 90 days are merited.

"He took responsibility all along," Rogosheske said after the sentencing.

Damman can serve his workhouse time under electronic home monitoring or work release if eligible.

Chao Xiong • 612-270-4708