Motorcyclist critically injured after hitting a mattress on I-94

A motorcyclist was critically injured on Interstate 94 during rush hour Thursday evening, after hitting a mattress on the roadway.

KSTP-TV reports the injured motorcyclist was 46-year-old Steven Konrad of Woodbury, the program director for its sister radio station, AM-1500.

The State Patrol reports that Konrad was heading east on the interstate near Western Avenue about 6 PM, and he was following a large SUV down the freeway.

Witnesses told police that the SUV swerved suddenly to avoid the mattress, but that Konrad didn't see the obstacle until it was too late and hit it.

Konrad was thrown from his motorcycle and severely injured, although he was listed as wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

He was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where he was listed in critical condition.

Police haven't been able yet to identify the vehicle that dropped the mattress onto the freeway.

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