Silent Run Adventures was headed to an Excelsior holiday event when the transport failed on an overpass Saturday.
MINNETONKA, Minn. — A trailer hauling a Minnesota dog-sled team split in half on eastbound I-394 late Saturday morning, briefly scattering gear and leaving one husky loose on the freeway before responders corralled the dog and escorted the team to safety, authorities and the operator said.
Silent Run Adventures, a Monticello-based mushing outfit, was traveling to a holiday event in Excelsior when the dog trailer catastrophically failed on a highway overpass. Nine dogs were aboard, according to the team. The Minnesota State Patrol and Minnetonka police responded, temporarily slowing traffic while the animals were checked and moved to safer ground. No serious injuries were reported. The incident drew attention because of the risk to animals and motorists and the unusual nature of the equipment failure at the start of the busy holiday event calendar.
The operator, identified as owner Jack Christopher, said the trailer “broke in two” as the vehicle crossed the span, jarring compartments that hold the dogs and sending gear across the lane. Most dogs remained inside their boxes, he said, but one husky slipped free and ran along the interstate shoulder as vehicles slowed. “There’s nothing worse than scared huskies on the freeway,” Christopher said, adding that first responders moved quickly to block traffic and locate the dog. The loose husky was picked up by troopers and later reunited with the team. The team determined it was closer to proceed into Excelsior for veterinary checks than to turn back to Monticello.
Officials said the trailer was a total loss, and crews cleared fragments and spilled equipment from the overpass. Responders escorted the team off the interstate so the dogs could be examined. A veterinarian later evaluated the animals in Excelsior; none were found to have serious injuries, the team said. The State Patrol did not release a detailed cause, and an exact failure point on the trailer remained under review. Minnetonka police confirmed the response along the I-394 corridor and said officers helped manage traffic while troopers handled the scene. The names of the responding troopers were not immediately available. It was not clear how fast the tow vehicle was traveling when the trailer failed.
Silent Run Adventures operates public mushing experiences and educational programs with a kennel of several dozen Siberian huskies, including rescues, according to the company. The group frequently appears at winter festivals around Lake Minnetonka, where Excelsior hosts seasonal events that feature sled-dog demonstrations. The failure occurred on a weekend when light snow and cold returned to the metro after a stretch of dry weather. Trailer failures involving animal carriers are rare and can be complex to investigate because of wear, welds, axle condition and the load distribution created by multiple compartments. Records of similar incidents in the Twin Cities are limited, and authorities offered no preliminary mechanical finding Saturday.
Christopher said the team is focusing on the animals and an equipment replacement plan after the trailer was declared beyond repair. He thanked troopers, Minnetonka officers and motorists who slowed as responders moved dogs and gear off the roadway. The company posted a note of gratitude to supporters, saying both “two-legged and four-legged” members were safe and recovering from the scare. Additional arrangements for transport are being made ahead of other winter appearances. The State Patrol said a formal report will follow once statements are compiled and any mechanical review is completed.
Event organizers in Excelsior confirmed the team made it to town for checks and rest. Bystanders described a tense scene on the interstate shoulder as a trooper lifted the recovered husky into a squad before rendezvousing with the team. “You could see the trailer split like a clamshell,” said Brian Larsen, who was driving behind the rig. “Traffic slowed quickly, and officers were everywhere directing people away from the debris.” Neighbors near the overpass said they heard a sharp metallic crack and then sirens as squads arrived. No secondary crashes were reported.
The State Patrol said its preliminary crash report will be available in the coming days. Any follow-up inquiries about citations or equipment violations will be addressed after the review. Silent Run Adventures said it is assessing whether interim transport will rely on borrowed equipment while a permanent trailer is sourced. As of Monday morning, the dogs remained under observation and the team was coordinating its next scheduled appearance.
Author note: Last updated December 1, 2025.