St. Paul Man Survives Crash Into Large Crate On I-35 In Forest Lake
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- A St. Paul man is lucky to be alive after the vehicle he was riding in crashed into a large crate.
The crate was dropped on the interstate by an unknown driver.
It happened on Interstate 35 in Forest Lake at around 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Allonte Combs, 20, was seriously injured when the vehicle he and a friend were in crashed into the crate on the road.
"I'm still numb," Angela Rucker, Combs' mother, said. "It could have been prevented."
While Combs' friend, who was driving, suffered only minor injuries, Combs woke up in the hospital with a broken jaw. He says he doesn't remember the accident.
"To see him laying in the hospital bed the way he is it's not my son," Rucker said.
Combs was able to speak a little Wednesday as he took his first trip outside the hospital since the accident. His girlfriend and 3-month-old daughter have been staying by his side. His mother says she's not sure if the driver who dropped the crate is even aware of what happened, but hopes they come forward.
"You're not expecting to see a piece of wood or piece of plywood in the middle of the freeway," Rucker said. "Just unfortunate."
Rucker said Combs is expected to be out of the hospital by next week.
The Minnesota State Patrol is reminding drivers that any load being carried on a vehicle must be secured. That includes using load straps with ratchets, not twine or rope to hold a load, covering it with a secured tarp and making sure safety chains are connected if hauling a trailer.
The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the crash. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the State Patrol at (651) 779-5900.