Man In Critical Condition After Hit-&-Run In Hinckley
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 24-year-old Wyoming, Minn. man had to be airlifted to a hospital after being the victim of a hit-and-run crash off Interstate 35 Monday night in Hinckley, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
Authorities responded to the crash at Fire Monument Road on to southbound I-35 in Hinckley at 10:50 p.m.
Trevor Langlois, 24, an accomplished chainsaw artist, was in the process of starting a new tree trimming business. He was in Hinckley Monday night to test drive a truck.
At around 10:50 p.m., he had just passed the southbound interchange to Hinckley when the truck began to act up. Langlois pulled onto the shoulder and put on the vehicle's four-way flashers.
He was stepping from the vehicle to see what the problem was when the unknown vehicle merging onto I-35 hit Langlois and continued southbound on the Interstate.
A friend who was along for the test ride and driving Langlois' car also pulled over and immediately called for help. The friend recalls only a dark colored sedan leaving the scene of the accident.
Now, in a family waiting room inside St. Mary's hospital in Duluth, a Langlois' father and wife clutch hands and hope.
"It's family and faith. My son's a fighter," said Brian Langlois.
But the hardest part for the family is explaining to Langlois' 2-year-old son, Ethan, why his father is hooked up to so many machines and unable to talk.
"The swelling's gone down, but as far as consciousness, he's not regaining consciousness," Langlois' wife, Katie, said. "They're keeping him sedated."
Langlois had surgery Tuesday morning to reduce brain swelling. He remains in critical condition and is unconscious.
Langlois is an Army veteran who was also a dedicated member of the Patriot Guard, the motorcycle-riding honor guards who attend veteran's funerals and military homecomings.
Authorities describe the vehicle as a dark-colored late model Ford sedan. It should have moderate to heavy damage on the front right bumper, hood and quarter panel area. The passenger side mirror should be partially missing, too.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Pine County Sheriff's Office at 320-629-8380.
