State Trooper injured by suspected drunk driver near Duluth
The Minnesota State Patrol says a trooper who was on the lookout for a suspected drunken driver was injured when the suspect's vehicle crashed into his squad car.
The Patrol says Trooper Erick Sjodin was stopped on a crossover on Interstate 35 south of Cloquet early Saturday when his squad was broadsided at freeway speeds.
Lt. Matt Langer says the trooper had to cut himself out of his seat belt. He suffered facial cuts and some other injuries.
The suspect, a 61-year-old Moose Lake man, was taken to a Duluth hospital in critical condition with injuries including a broken leg. He was in stable condition Sunday.
Friday marked the start of a statewide campaign targeting impaired drivers. Law enforcement agencies are beefing up patrols through Labor Day.
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