Two semis crash near Alexandria

Two semis collided on Interstate 94 Thursday afternoon around 4 p.m. spilling potato flakes onto the highway and closing both east-bound lanes for approximately half an hour.

A Volvo semi tractor driven by Firas Barafi, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was experiencing mechanical issues and driving at a slow speed in the right lane. Larry Salvhus, of Bagley, was driving a Volvo semi at freeway speed when he rear-ended Barafi's semi tractor, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

Salvhus had to be extricated from his cab. A Britton Transport representative said he had four broken ribs and had broken his leg in five places. Barafi was transported to Douglas County Hospital for non life threatening injuries.

Salvhus was hauling the potato flakes.

The crash occurred near mile marker 101. Both east-bound lanes were blocked until debris could be cleared by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). One fuel tank was ruptured and leaking onto the road.

The Alexandria Fire Department was called to extinguish a fire in one of the trucks. The Garfield Fire Department was also paged to the scene.

The Minnesota State Patrol, MnDOT, Douglas County Sheriff's Department and North Ambulance responded to the scene.

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