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• Accident sends one to hospital, another to jail

At approximately 6:40 p.m., the Baldwin Police Department was notified of a one vehicle accident on Maple Street at 14th Avenue at the Greenfield Elementary parking lot.

Upon arrival, officers found Abdi Mohamed Askar, 38, Minneapolis, lying on the sidewalk on the north end of the Greenfield Elementary parking lot. It was discovered that a Blue and White Minneapolis taxi cab had crashed into a street light pole, then struck van parked in the lot.

Baldwin officers were then notified that a second individual was seen fleeing from the accident scene and was being followed by two citizens. Officers located this subject approximately two blocks from the scene of the accident.

Askar was identified as the cab driver. He had picked up a fare in Minneapolis and drove him to Baldwin. Askar had numerous injuries and was transported to the Baldwin Hospital and then transferred to Regions Hospital in St. Paul. He was in critical condition on Tuesday afternoon, according to Sheriff Dennis Hillstead.

Scene investigation indicated that the vehicle was traveling above the posted speed limit and that Askar had jumped out of the cab prior to it striking the light pole.

The passenger, also a resident of Minneapolis, is being held at the St. Croix County Jail pending further investigation by the Baldwin Police Department and St. Croix County Sheriff's Department. His name has not yet been released.

United Fire and Rescue also reported to the scene for manpower and lighting to aid in the search for anything of evidentiary value.