COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, Minn. (WCCO) — Police say a Minnesota teenager who pledged to enjoy prom safely ended up in the hospital because of the irresponsible actions of an adult.
Damir Obradovic, 19, is still banged up after the crash early Sunday morning. A suspected drunken driver lost control of his SUV and crashed into him on Interstate 694.
Obradovic’s sister, Sonja, took his call early Sunday morning, telling her he’d been in an accident. Just hours earlier, she had taken pictures before he left for prom.
“It’s was bad. It was really bad,” said Sonja said.
All Obradovic remembers is dropping his friends off after the dance and heading home.
“I took the highway and like, out of nowhere, this car just hit the gas and spin out; and I tried to hit the break and we crashed together,” Obradovic said. “I could not do nothing. It happened so fast.”
According to investigators, Mickell Brown was getting on Interstate 694 when he lost control of his truck. It spun out of control and landed facing the wrong way on I-694, right in Obradovic’s path.
Obradovic was taken to the hospital and Brown was given a field sobriety test. Investigators think he was drunk.
Recently, Obradovic and other Columbia Heights High School students signed a pledge not to drink and drive on prom night.
“They told us never to drink and drive, and out of nowhere, a car just comes and hit me,” Obradovic said.
Now, Obradovic has a message for adults who are out on the roads when kids are supposed to be having the time of their lives.
“If you want to drink, just hide your keys somewhere or give someone the keys,” he said. “Don’t drink and drive. It’s going to hurt someone.”
Brown was arrested for criminal vehicular operation and could face more charges when blood tests are finished.
