A Carver County deputy was severely injured in a head-on crash Thursday night when an oncoming car crossed over the center line on County Road 11 in Carver, Minn.
Deputy Erick Boder, a 10-year veteran of the sheriff's office, was only 3 hours into his patrol shift at the time of the accident. The other driver was identified as a 46-year-old man from Carver. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts, but sustained injuries in the crash.
On off-duty Carver firefighter witnesses the crash and stopped immediately to help both drivers. Firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life tool to extricate Deputy Boder from his wrecked squad. He was then airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center.
"We are deeply concerned about our deputy's welfare and we're praying for a speedy recovery," Carver County Chief Deputy Jason Kamerud said in a statement.
The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the crash.