Police: Driver was fleeing scene in Minneapolis when he crashed, killed passenger

A pickup truck passenger who was paralyzed in a south Minneapolis traffic collision as the driver fled has died, and the motorist is now facing more serious charges, police said Monday.

Roderick A. Taylor, 30, of Brooklyn Center, was injured in the crash on April 19 near S. 42nd Avenue and E. 52nd Street, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office.

Taylor died Wednesday from complications connected to his injuries, the examiner's office noted.

The driver, Joseph B. Humphreys, 33, of Brownton, Minn., was initially charged with causing serious injury while fleeing police.

The County Attorney's Office "is aware of the outcome and will amend charges as appropriate," police spokesman John Elder said.

At the time of the crash, Humphreys was driving with a suspended license, the state Department of Public Safety said Tuesday. His criminal history in Minnesota includes four convictions for drunken driving, five for driving after his license was suspended and twice for drug possession.

Officers were called to the intersection north of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport about 3 p.m. regarding a suspicious vehicle, Elder said.

"There was no way this was a pursuit," the police spokesman said.

Taylor, who suffered a paralyzing spine injury, died April 29. The drivers survived their injuries.

According to the criminal complaint, Humphreys said he and Taylor were in the neighborhood looking for a stolen vehicle that belonged to his friend. When police pulled up behind him, Humphreys explained, he became afraid because there was a warrant out for his arrest.

Paul Walsh • 612-968-2483