Semi driver hit, injured in I-35W accident

A tractor-trailer driver was hit and seriously injured after he got out of his cab following a fender bender on Interstate 35W on Monday morning.

Minnesota State Patrol spokesperson Lt. Tiffani Nielson said the tractor-trailer sideswiped a car at about 5:51 a.m. near Park Avenue in Minneapolis. Both vehicles pulled over onto the right shoulder.

"The semi truck driver had exited the cab and was standing in the right lane to take photographs of damage to the vehicles," Nielson said. "While he was standing in the right lane, a pickup truck driver came through the curve there ... and ended up striking the semi truck driver."

The tractor-trailer driver was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center with serious injuries.

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Authorities recommend that drivers involved in an accident on an interstate stay in their cars.

"It's obviously a very natural thing for people to get out and look for damage," Nielson said. "It's always safer to wait in your vehicle until law enforcement has arrived and can provide some light and direct traffic away from the scene."

When involved in a crash on the freeway, drivers can pull over on the interstate if there's enough room on the shoulder to safely park the vehicles, Nielson said. If there isn't enough room on the shoulder, all drivers involved should take the next exit and park on a city street or somewhere else safe.

The names of those involved in the incidents will likely be released Monday afternoon.