UPDATED: Man Run Over by Own Car on Mendota Bridge

A 19-year-old St. Paul man died Thursday afternoon after an accident on the eastbound lanes of Mendota Bridge, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

The Victim, Medard Prosper, was a Highland Park High School senior. According to a report by the Pioneer Press, Prosper was an orphan and refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was awarded an Optimist Club of St. Paul scholarship last November. 

A tire of the 1998 Nissan Maxima that Prosper was driving blew out while on the bridge. Prosper attempted to exit the vehicle while it was moving, but his foot got caught and he was run over by the vehicle, according to the state patrol report.

The accident happened about 5:30 p.m. No other cars were involved.  

Authorities closed traffic heading eastbound on Highway 55 into Mendota Heights for several hours.