Crawling Pedestrian Hit, Killed On I-35 In St. Paul
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Authorities are asking for the public's help in finding the person responsible for hitting and killing a woman--and then fleeing the scene.
Twenty-eight-year-old Emily Boone, of Maple Grove, was crawling across I-35E southbound at Grand Avenue Friday night when she was struck by a vehicle. She died at the scene.
What happened is unclear. The Minnesota State Patrol said early investigation shows Boone had jumped or fell 15 feet off the Grand Avenue entrance ramp onto 35E before crawling onto the freeway.
It's possible, police say, that whoever hit Boone didn't know they had hit a person before driving off.
Boone was hit around 9:45 p.m. Friday in the highway's left lane, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
Authorities said Boone lived not far from the scene and a man had been out looking for her, but authorities they haven't disclosed their relationship.
"We did determine that she walked onto the freeway alone," State Patrol Lt. Tiffani Nielson said. "However, we don't know the reason why she was on the freeway."
The State Patrol is talking with family members to see if Boone had any history of mental health issues. The medical examiner will determine if any drugs or alcohol were in her system.
"The family is obviously in shock, and they're going through a very traumatic experience," Nielson said. "The family would like to know what happened last night as well."
The southbound lane of the highway was shut down for two hours after the crash.
The State Patrol will be looking at traffic cameras to see if the footage gives them any leads into finding the driver.
"There was traffic in the area out last night, so we know there are probably witnesses out there who just have not come forward yet," Nielson said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the State Patrol.