St. Paul police officer injured after swerving to avoid crash with motorist
- A St. Paul police officer struck a brick building after swerving to avoid another vehicle during a car crash.
- The incident occurred around 1 a.m. on Thursday in the Frogtown community.
- Increased police response incidents raise concerns about officer safety in urban settings.
On a Thursday night in St. Paul, Minnesota, a police officer experienced injuries resulting from an incident involving their squad car. The event occurred around 1 a.m. at the intersection of North Milton Street and Thomas Avenue, situated in the Frogtown neighborhood. The officer was traveling eastbound on Thomas Avenue when they encountered another vehicle approaching from the south on Milton Street. To prevent a potential collision, the officer swerved but lost control of the vehicle. This maneuver caused the squad car to collide with a light pole before crashing into the side of a nearby brick building. In the aftermath of the crash, the officer sustained minor injuries and was promptly taken to a local hospital for treatment. Reports indicate that, despite the crash being serious, the injuries sustained by the officer were not severe, marking a fortunate outcome amidst the chaos. As of now, the officer's exact condition remains uncertain. The Minnesota State Patrol has taken on the responsibility of investigating the incident to gather further information on what transpired that night. Simultaneously, earlier that week, another car crash involving St. Paul police officers occurred on Tuesday evening, around 6:40 p.m. This incident took place near the intersection of Westminster and Maryland Avenue. During a response to a call with lights and sirens activated, a police squad car was struck by a motorist driving a Chevrolet Malibu. Two officers inside the squad car were taken to Regions Hospital with minor injuries, while the driver of the Malibu received treatment for their own minor injuries and was dismissed by medics shortly thereafter. Both incidents highlight the dangers that police officers face when responding to emergencies, especially in urban areas where quick decisions are often required to avoid accidents. The St. Paul Police Department has not released any additional information regarding the ongoing investigations into either crash, leaving the community and the families of the officers affected seeking clarity and answers about the safety and circumstances surrounding these incidents.