A car hit and injured two construction workers in St. Paul early Thursday, and the driver fled on foot and left behind two banged-up passengers and a loaded pistol, authorities said.

The crash happened about 12:30 a.m. on the ramp from southbound Hwy. 280 to westbound Interstate 94, according to the State Patrol.

The car hit a trash container and then a water truck in the construction zone, said Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske. Two construction workers were knocked down in the process but had “very minor” injuries, Roeske said.

The driver ran from the scene, Roeske said. The two passengers with minor injuries “claimed not to know who the driver was.”

There’s no further word on why a loaded pistol was in the car.

A 76-year-old woman was run over and killed Monday morning in southern Dakota County when she stepped in front of a car near her mailbox, across the highway from her home, authorities said.

Alonza C. Raway, of Hampton, was struck shortly before 6:30 a.m. on Hwy. 50, just east of Hampton, according to the State Patrol.

Two-lane Hwy. 50 was closed for hours in both directions east of Hwy. 52 as investigators worked the scene.

“We believe she may have had to cross the street to get the paper and was returning to her house,” said Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske.

The vehicle involved was a Honda Civic driven by Mark A. Coulter, 56, of Hastings, the patrol said. Coulter was not hurt.

On Monday, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Department released information about a fatal motorcycle crash Saturday night in Fridley. Nicholas A. Oweczynsky, 24, of Coon Rapids, died at Hennepin County Medical Center after the crash, which happened at about 9:15 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of University Avenue and 73rd Avenue NE. Oweczynsky lost control during a turn and crashed to the pavement, resulting in multiple injuries, including massive head trauma, police said. He was not wearing a helmet.