It’s a life-changing moment that Kurt Lucking still struggles to remember today. 

“I survived death — definitely,” the 68-year-old said. 

On Sept. 7, 2023, Lucking was on his riding lawnmower on the shoulder of Highway 25 in Pierz when a minivan hit him. 

“I got rear-ended,” Lucking said, describing the crash. “I had a leaf cart on the back, but it just looked like an accordion.” 

Incredibly, Lucking survived because of good Samaritans who rushed to his rescue.

Now, nearly a year and a half later, Lucking and the people who saved him were back together in early February at the Minnesota State Patrol Awards as his rescuers were honored. Shelby Erdrich, Daniel Baert, and first responder Steven Boser each received a Meritorious Citizenship Award for the life-saving efforts they provided. They were among the dozens of troopers, other first responders and residents honored for heroic acts.

Erdrich, a nurse, had just dropped her kids off at school when she came upon the crash and immediately pulled over. 

Erdrich checked Lucking’s pulse. Finding none, she began CPR. She and another bystander then took turns in hopes of keeping Lucking alive.

As Erdrich and Baert were performing CPR, Boser was one of the first responders to arrive at the scene. 

“I get there and there’s another fella there helping Shelby,” Boser recalled. “He looked up at me and he said, ‘Boy am I glad to see you.’” 

Boser immediately jumped into action and helped open Lucking’s airway. Because of their lifesaving efforts, Lucking’s pulse returned, and he was taken away by ambulance. 

Lucking spent about three months in the hospital recovering from broken bones and a severe traumatic brain injury that included bleeding in four parts of his brain. Lucking’s daughter, Sam Froelich, says doctors credited the quick action of the three rescuers for saving his life. 

“They told me 90 percent of people who had his injuries would have died on scene,” Froelich said.

Lucking and his rescuers remain close since that day.  

“If it wouldn’t have been for them, I wouldn’t be here,” said Lucking. “The doctors called me a miracle. That’s the nickname they gave me — the miracle man.” 

While Erdrich and Boser say they are honored to be recognized by the Minnesota State Patrol, they are even happier knowing that Lucking has made such a remarkable recovery. 

“That’s the only award I need, honestly,” Erdrich said. “Being able to drive past his house and seeing him outside playing with his grandkids.”  

“Wherever I see him, I get a hug out of him,” Boser added. “That was the deal I made with him: you survive, dang it, and then you’re gonna give me a hug every time — I don’t care if it’s in church or at the school.”

Erdrich says she hopes others who hear this rescue story are inspired to take a CPR class. 

“You never know when it could save a life,” she added. “We were just where we needed to be at the time and did what we needed to do.”

 

Other Minnesota State Patrol Award winners include: 

• Trooper Gustavo Culbeaux, who was awarded the Eagle Squadron Award for taking 222 impaired drivers off the road last year — his sixth consecutive win for the most state patrol DWI arrests. 

• Lt. Kevin Skalsky, who received the Leadership Award after 28 years of service. He’s retiring after stopping more than 2,000 vehicles a year, serving as commander of the State Patrol Honor Guard and working on the Mobile Response Team.

• Sgt. Chris Hudson, who was named the State Patrol’s Civilian Employee of the Year for his tireless work inspecting school buses and keeping children safe. 

• Technical Sgt. Kyle Backer, who was honored as Trooper of the Year for driving positive change, building strong relationships, and demonstrating exceptional mentorship and leadership. 

Read the full list of Minnesota State Patrol Award winners here