State Patrol looking for witnesses to I-394 accident in Golden Valley

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. (KMSP) - The Minnesota State Patrol is asking for the public's help in locating a vehicle involved in an accident on Interstate 394 in Golden Valley Monday that left one person injured. 

At 5:45 a.m., troopers responded to a person on the highway near Louisiana Avenue. The man was transported to North Memorial Medical Center with serious injuries. 

The 30-year-old man tumbled onto the interstate as a vehicle slowed down just a bit, according to Minnesota State Patrol video. 

Lt. Tiffani Nielson of the Minnesota State Patrol said the fact the car slows down gives her an inclination that a crime may have been committed. It's possible the man may have jumped out, but slowing down, and the fact that the car didn't stop to help, makes it look like he was pushed. 

The man who was pushed is William Watson, 30, of Minneapolis. He was seriously injured and was taken to North Memorial Medical Center. He is still in the ICU Wednesday. 

"Our investigators have tried to interview him twice but he's still not able to give a good account of what happened," said Nielson. 

Watson was in the road for five minutes before a trooper was able to block the lane. Police say it's remarkable he was not run over, although there were some very close calls with cars hitting the guardrail swerving to avoid him. 

A witness said the vehicle was a light-colored Lincoln Crossover, but they did not get an accurate plate number. 

The State Patrol is asking anyone in the area who may have witnessed the incident to call 651-582-1511. 

"We want to determine who was driving the vehicle," said Nielson. "And if somebody saw something similar in nature, maybe at a nearby gas station. Also, we would like a description of who was in the vehicle. We're not sure how many people were in the vehicle when this incident occurred."