Police have identified the man who died Friday when his truck crashed in a swampy area of Oak Grove as Vincent Patrick Switala.
The 23-year-old from St. Paul died at the scene about 6 p.m. when he lost control of his 1995 Chevrolet pickup truck at University and 229th avenues.
He was the son of Brian and Karen Switala and the brother of Nicholas, Megan, Connor and Karinna.
“Vincent was indeed a beautiful man,” his brother Connor posted on Facebook. “His rough charm and contagious laughter brought smiles to all, making everyone feel included and loved.”
Friends set up a Gofundme page to help the family with funeral costs.
“With a heavy heart, the Switala family is preparing for their son’s funeral happening this Friday,” organizer Lydia Janasz posted on the fundraising site. “Shocked and in awe, this is the reality his family is faced with — losing a son, a brother, and a friend without even being able to say ‘goodbye.'”
Officials have not released a cause of death, but Janasz posted that “his truck slid off the road and into a pond, causing him to go unconscious and drown.”
Two passengers were able to free themselves from the truck, but the driver had to be extricated by first responders. Switala was pronounced dead at the scene. The case remains under investigation by the Anoka County sheriff’s office, the Minnesota State Patrol and the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office.
The funeral service will be 11 a.m. June 21 at Redeeming Love Church at 2425 White Bear Ave. in Maplewood. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. June 20 at Mueller Memorial in St. Paul and also one hour prior to the service at church.
