DANGEROUS & PREDATORY - Felt like roadside extortion, not towing. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
On December 3, 2025, I crashed on icy I-94 near Monticello after a semi caused my rented Jeep to spin out (accident report #25603944). Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Alex Tokar #40 arrived and called Burda's Towing since my roadside assistance wasn't answering.
The TTD was unable to free my vehicle from the guardrail and had to call MNDOT to cut the line. After that, the TTD declared it "driveable" despite obvious damage and dangerously low tire pressure--I begged him not to make me drive it. He quoted $250, then refused every normal form of payment (cash, credit card, Apple Pay). Instead, he demanded I hand over my purse. I refused, citing confidential client information. He then scanned my vehicle for personal belongings, narrowing in on my carry-on bag--including life-saving prescription medication and luxury items worth over $10,000--as "collateral" so I wouldn't "drive off without paying."
When I turned to the trooper for help and asked if this was legal, he literally shrugged and said, "It's kind of a safety issue. That's just kinda how things work around here."
Alone, freezing, 3 a.m., on a dark interstate as a solo female traveler--I was bullied into a ridiculous choice.
Minutes later, trying to follow his truck in the unsafe vehicle, I lost control and crashed a second time. The Burda's driver admitted he had no idea that I crashed the second time and said "I looked back and you were just gone.". He kept going with my property and didn't stop to help, and only returned later to bully me into driving again. Once off the highway, he suddenly demanded $500--doubled the price--with no explanation, no itemization, no invoice, no receipt--and threatened to keep my belongings if I didn't pay immediately. He then photographed my driver's license and credit card on his personal phone.
The trooper watched parts of this, never intervened, and at the second crash site stayed in his vehicle the entire time.
This wasn't towing service--this was coercion, intimidation, and endangerment. I was temporarily deprived of life-critical medication, forced to drive an unsafe vehicle causing a second crash, and left traumatized.
I have full video, photos, call logs, and the accident report proving everything. Formal complaints filed with the Minnesota Attorney General Consumer Protection Division and Minnesota State Patrol Internal Affairs. read more