Governor Walz and Commissioner Snell both expressed their amazement and gratitude that a tanker truck on I-35W didn’t hit any of the protestors on the highway in a press conference at 10:30 p.m. tonight.
Gov. Walz spoke briefly on the incident before turning the press conference over to Commissioner Snell, who reiterated Walz’s comments of thanks for safety on the highway today.
Commissioner Snell said the truck must have gotten around the barricades where they were in the process of diverting traffic off the highway. There was no law enforcement presence close to the protestors, as they were remaining peaceful. Law enforcement found it prudent to leave the protesters with some space so as not to escalate tensions, Snell said. At an estimated speed of the truck was near 70 miles per hour, which would have made it difficult for any law enforcement members to apprehend or slow the truck, even if they were within a reasonable distance of the truck, Snell said.
Snell also spoke on the transfer of former police officer Derek Chauvin, who was charged with third degree murder in the case of George Floyd. Chauvin was moved from Hennepin County Jail into another department of corrections facility, Snell said. Snell cited concerns over COVID-19 and a potential influx of people in the Hennepin County Jail tonight as the reason for Chauvin’s transfer.
