Alcohol Believed Factor In I-35 Crash That Injured Trooper, Driver Near Forest Lake

FOREST LAKE, MN — A Minnesota State Patrol trooper and the driver of a passenger vehicle were taken to Regions Hospital after a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 35 south of 220th Street North on Sunday evening, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

The Forest Lake Police Department was called to the crash at 5:35 p.m. on Aug. 2. Investigators say the trooper's marked squad car was parked in the median bypass conducting stationary speed enforcement on northbound I-35 when a northbound passenger car left the travel lanes and struck the squad car's passenger side.

I-35 was temporarily closed for the investigation with help from the Forest Lake Fire Department, the Anoka County Sheriff's Office and M Health Fairview.

Both vehicles were held by Forest Lake police as part of the ongoing investigation.

Preliminary evidence indicates alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash, officials said. No names have been released, and further details are expected as the investigation continues.