MINNESOTA OFFICER HIT, DRAGGED AT ACCIDENT SITE

North Mankato police officer Chris Boyer was struck by a vehicle and dragged forward, then backward, after he stopped to assist another pedestrian who had been hit in an accident on the Veterans Memorial Bridge Monday morning. No one was seriously injured in the accidents, which happened on an icy bridge deck and at a time when the rising sun can angle onto motorists’ windshields.

Police Chief Mike Pulis said it was a terrifying scene for all involved and he was surprised it wasn’t worse. “I think (Boyer’s) guardian angel went to work with him this morning,” Pulis said Monday. According to the State Patrol and Pulis, this is what happened.

Shortly before 8:30 a.m., a car driven by Erin McCarthy, 31, of North Mankato, ran out of gas on the bridge while heading into Mankato. Daniel Scheurer, 66, of North Mankato, stopped behind McCarthy, on the side of the bridge, and got out to help. A pickup driven by David Graham, 78, of North Mankato, struck the rear of Scheurer’s car, pushing it into McCarthy, who was standing between the cars. Scheurer, who was standing nearer the sidewalk, was not hit. McCarthy was treated at the scene and released.

Capt. Boyer, 39, stopped at the site of the accident and got out of his car. Pulis said Boyer saw a pickup coming from behind and quickly realized the driver didn’t see him. A 1998 Dodge Ram driven by Ryan Finnegan, 19, of North Mankato, glanced off the back side of the squad car, hit Boyer who was then lodged under the truck, face up, then went about 15 yards before hitting another of the vehicles that was already stopped.

Pulis said bystanders yelled at the driver, who apparently didn’t know someone was under his truck. Finnegan then began backing up, pulling Boyer a few feet in the other direction. “(Boyer) was lodged on the undercarriage. It’s lucky the truck sat up higher off the ground, or it would have been much more serious,” Pulis said.

Pulis said it was estimated the Dodge Ram was traveling at about 25 mph when it hit the squad car. Boyer was treated for bumps, bruises and abrasions at Immanuel St. Joseph’s emergency room. “He was able to hobble out of ISJ trauma on his own, but very painfully,” Pulis said. Boyer was recuperating at home and Pulis said he was unsure when Boyer would return to work.