Man Tasered After Auto Accident

In January, 29 year old Mark Backlund was on his way to the airport to pick up his parents who were returning after a short vacation in Florida. He never got to the airport.

Backlund’s car was involved in a single car crash on Interstate 698 near Silver Lake in New Brighton. Five State Troopers arrived on the scene stated that Backlund became uncooperative, though they did not elaborate as to the specific behavior. At some point one of the officers fired a Taser at the victim and called for paramedics. When they arrived, Backlund was still breathing but was unconscious. Allina Medical Transportation spokesman Tim Burke said he was pronounced dead at Unity Hospital.

Gordon Backlund, Mark’s father, stated that his son had no heart condition. Authorities told him that Mark’s heart stopped.

Backlund said, “We’re looking for what really happened. And it is just going to take time to figure this out.”

The five State Troopers involved were put on administrative leave while awaiting the results of an investigation by the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension into the incident. Since the State Patrol started carrying Tasers about eighteen months ago, this is the first Taser-related death.

Police are pleased with Tasers due to their ability to bring standoffs to a rapid and satisfactory close without resorting to lethal weaponry.