Chase on I-94 near Garfield leads to crash, serious injuries

GARFIELD — A chase on Interstate 94 near Garfield ended with a rollover and life-threatening injuries on Thursday, July 14.

The incident began at about 5:30 p.m. when a state trooper attempted to stop a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier while responding to a driving complaint near mile marker 98, according to the State Patrol.

The driver of the Cavalier, Barry Curtis Johnson, 36, of Hollywood, South Carolina, failed to stop for the trooper's emergency lights and sirens, according to the patrol.

While the trooper was in pursuit of the Cavalier, Johnson lost control and made contact with another vehicle traveling eastbound on Interstate 94.

The Cavalier entered the ditch and rolled as a result of the crash. Johnson, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported by a LifeLink medical helicopter to the St. Cloud Hospital with "life-threatening injuries," according to the State Patrol.

The vehicle that was struck, a 2012 Ford Fusion driven by Makkena Elizabeth Pascavage, 25, of Olympia, Washington, had minor damage and stopped on the shoulder of the interstate. Pascavage, who was wearing a seat belt, wasn't injured, according to the State Patrol.

North Memorial Ambulance, LifeLink helicopter, Douglas County Sheriff's Office and Garfield First Responders responded to the crash.