Several vehicles damages by large rocks, oil thrown off I-35 bridge near Rush City, sheriff says
Law enforcement in an east-central Minnesota community is asking for the public's help to find those responsible for throwing large rocks and vehicle oil off an Interstate 35 overpass.
The Chisago County Sheriff's Office said there have been multiple reports in the past week of vehicles being struck by objects dropped from the bridge by 530th Street near Rush City, about 60 miles northeast of the Twin Cities metro area.
On Sunday night just after 10 p.m., authorities say someone "threw numerous large rocks and a significant amount of oil onto passing vehicles and the roadway itself," resulting in "multiple vehicles being damaged."
Two 17-year-old boys, Carter Quiggle and Westyn Willem, and their friends were traveling back to the Twin Cities from a fishing trip in northern Minnesota on Sunday. Around 10 p.m., the teens said the vehicle they were in went under an overpass near Rush City.
"I see like a big boulder bounce up from the road and it just smokes my car," Willem said.
Quiggle added, "Car's in the air, hits the ground, pull over, smoke everywhere. I don't know what's going on. Look out, oil everywhere."
The teenagers said they hit a rock that damaged Willem's car.
"Over watermelon-sized," Quiggle said.
The teens pulled over and called for help.
While Willem says his car had to be towed, both he and Quiggle are glad no one was hurt.
The sheriff's office says the Minnesota State Patrol is assisting in the investigation, and anyone with information is asked to call 651-257-4100.