Crash caused by a medical complication

Published 11:05 am Wednesday, February 27, 2013

A motorist who died in late January after his vehicle veered off Interstate 35 and into a field south of Albert Lea suffered a medical condition while at the wheel, according to a Minnesota State Patrol report.

Emergency personnel respond to a fatal crash on Interstate 35 Jan. 30 four miles north of the Iowa border. -- Brandi Hagen/Albert Lea Tribune

Emergency personnel respond to a fatal crash on Interstate 35 Wednesday four miles north of the Iowa border. –Brandi Hagen/Albert Lea Tribune

Albert Fraser Bailey, 75, of Burnsville, was driving northbound on I-35 on the morning of Jan. 30 when, according to the incident report, he crossed through the median, across the southbound lanes, into the west ditch, up the embankment, through the freeway fence and into a field. The crash took place about four miles north of the Iowa border.

The motor vehicle, which was not identified in the report, came to a stop facing north on the west side of the freeway. It sustained no damage.

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The report indicates Bailey was the only person in the vehicle and was found with his seat belt on and his foot on the accelerator.

The vehicle, which had a manual transmission, appeared to have stalled out.

The State Patrol is still awaiting the medical examiner’s report.