Three people were transported by Albert Lea Medical Center ambulance Saturday after a two-vehicle car wreck near the intersection of Front Street and Third Avenue in Albert Lea.

The incident happened around 2:30 p.m.

Albert Lea Police Lt. J.D. Carlson said Patricia Williams, 49, of Carks Grove, driving a white Silhouette van was talking to the passenger in her vehicle when she crossed over the center line and struck a blue Ford Escort. The crash happened where the road curves. Williams was reportedly injured but not transported. The passenger in her vehicle, Steven Broulette, 65, was injured and transported to the Albert Lea Medical Center, according to police reports.

Albert Lea firefighters were called in to use the Jaws of Life to extract the driver of the Escort and his passenger. The driver of this vehicle, Dunnell Lenort, 46, of Twin Lakes, and passenger, Angela Lenort, 36, also of Twin Lakes, were listed as injured and transported to ALMC then to Rochester where he was treated and released and she was listed as serious condition.

Witnesses to the event said the crash sounded like a loud explosion.

“It sounded like a big bomb going off,” said Tim Trcka, who was visiting a friend in the A-Lea Apartments. “I thought it was somebody playing with fireworks.”

Nile Heilman, who lives on 1102 Front St. said he, too, heard the crash from inside his residence. He said he thought maybe it had something to do with wires.

Shortly after that crash, there was another two-vehicle car wreck near the intersection of Front Street and Broadway Avenue.

Carlson said one vehicle was exiting the north exit of the Clark Gas Station and failed to yield to a westbound vehicle on Front Street. The driver of this vehcle was identified as Brett Stutzman, 22 of Albert Lea.

Ashley Brooks, 18, no address given, a passenger in the second vehicle, was injured and transported to ALMC. The driver of the second vehicle was listed on the police report as Felicia Woods, 27, of Albert Lea.

No condition reports for the people injured in these two accidents were available at press time.