Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Man Run Over by Own Car on Mendota Bridge

A 19-year-old male died Thursday afternoon in a one-car accident.

 

A 19-year-old St. Paul man died Thursday afternoon after an accident on the eastbound lanes of Mendota Bridge, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

The Victim, Medard Prosper, was a Highland Park High School senior. According to a report by the Pioneer Press, Prosper was an orphan and refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was awarded an Optimist Club of St. Paul scholarship last November. 

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A tire of the victim's 1998 Nissan Maxima blew out while on the bridge. The driver attempted to exit the vehicle while it was moving, but his foot got caught and he was run over by the vehicle, according to the incident report.

The accident happened Thursday evening around 5:30 p.m. 

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No other cars were involved. The name of the victim has not been released pending notification of next of kin. 

Authorities closed traffic heading eastbound on Highway 55 into Mendota Heights for several hours.


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