By Keighla Schmidt, Staff Writer

A damaged bridge and an empty car resulted in a search of the downtown area in the early morning hours of March 14.

Capt. Dave Muelken said police were called at 2:09 a.m. by a person who reported “a crash at the bridge and that the car was unoccupied. It was just the one car and the bridge involved.”

According to the police report, a 30-year-old Apple Valley woman was driving on Quentin Avenue when she hit the south east side of the one-lane bridge.

The woman, along with her two passengers, apparently ran from the car after they hit the bridge and hid from police, Muelken said. All three were eventually transported to the hospital by ambulance.

Savage Police Department was assisted in the search by officers from Shakopee and Prior Lake.

The woman was arrested for fourth-degree DWI, but blood alcohol content results are pending. Following the findings of those results, police will determine if criminal charges will be pursued.

The city’s public works department called in a consultant to inspect the damage and a report will be forwarded to the railroad company that owns the bridge.

“Regardless of whether or not the railroad takes action, the city will very likely take precautions to secure the damaged area,” said Public Works Director John Powell. 

Keighla Schmidt can be reached at kschmidt@swpub.com [2].