Woman suffers crushed vertebrae from Lagimodiere semi-trailer crash caught on video

Video circulating on social media of a crash on a busy Winnipeg road Friday morning shows how a semi-trailer smashed into a passenger vehicle, crumpling it and leaving a woman inside with fractured vertebrae plus many other broken bones. 

Both passengers in the vehicle survived the crash on Lagimodiere Boulevard that happened near the Royal Canadian Mint around 10:20 a.m. Friday, shutting down parts of the road for hours. 

The video, posted to X, shows a semi-trailer stopping at a light on Lagimodiere Boulevard at East Mint Place. A passenger vehicle then stops right behind the semi, also waiting at the light. 

Seconds later, the video shows another semi-trailer driving straight into the back of the stopped vehicle, crushing the passenger vehicle between the two semis.

The woman in the passenger vehicle was flown to hospital by STARS air ambulance in critical condition, while a man was taken to hospital by paramedics, police said in a Friday afternoon news release.

According to a GoFundMe posted by family, Carli Paetzold was the woman injured in the crash and suffered multiple broken bones, plus one fractured and one crushed vertebrae. 

"She underwent surgery to fuse her spine which was successful, with surgeons noting that she was incredibly lucky to avoid paralysis," the GoFundMe posted by Carli's cousin Emily Guenther said.

Marcus Paetzold suffered bruises, lacerations and a serious concussion. He has since been discharged and continues to recover from home, according to the post.

"The Paetzolds have selfless hearts and desire to serve others in their respective careers," said the GoFundMe, noting that Marcus works as a paramedic and Carli as a labour and delivery nurse.

"Together they have a long road to recovery," it said.

A dog was also travelling in the vehicle when the collision happened. The couple's canine, Oakley, was not located at the immediate site of the crash but was tracked down by a Good Samaritan, Guenther said, who then brought him over to animal services. 

"Oakley was found to be miraculously unharmed," the GoFundMe said. "We are all still blown away that he came out of that vehicle completely unscathed."

In an email to CBC News on Monday, a spokesperson for Winnipeg police say they have no further updates on the investigation Monday. 

CBC asked the trucking company linked to the semi-trailer involved in the collision for comment.