Driver crashes into State Patrol SUV, fights trooper

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - A Minnesota State Trooper was injured after a vehicle struck his squad car and the driver started fighting him on northbound I-35E in St. Paul.

Investigators told Fox 9 the incident began in West Saint Paul at the South Metro fire station. After firefighters came back from a call, they noticed the woman was still sitting in her car in the parking lot. She was unresponsive, but when they went to talk to her, she took off at a high rate of speed.

Firefighters called police, but the woman had already gotten onto the freeway.

According to a spokeswoman with State Patrol, around 3:36 p.m., a Hyundai Sonata swerved directly into State Patrol SUV, which was parked on the right shoulder of northbound I-35E at Arlington Avenue. The vehicle's lights were not on at the time. 

The trooper got out to check the woman driving the Hyundai when she began fighting him. A bystander stopped to help the trooper.

“She kind of like pushed at him a little bit and he was like ‘Ok enough is enough’—basically he took her down,” said Michael Carlson, a witness.

The woman was later arrested. Authorities believe she may have been on drugs. Crews took her to United Hospital in St. Paul.

The trooper was also taken to United Hospital for minor injuries. At the State Patrol tow lot, Fox 9 caught up with the trooper who was hurt while he was getting his belongings from the squad. He had just been released from the hospital. He declined to do an interview, but says he's doing okay.