Albert Lea man seriously injured after being struck by van in blizzard conditions

Published 10:55 am Monday, February 25, 2019

An Albert Lea man was seriously injured Sunday after being struck by a van in whiteout conditions.

Leonel Lopez, 44, was taken to Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea with at least one injury deemed serious but not life-threatening, according to Albert Lea police.

Steven Wadding, 39, of Albert Lea was driving a 1999 Ford Econoline south on Margaretha Avenue near 16th Street in whiteout conditions when he struck Lopez, who was standing on the driver’s side of a disabled vehicle on the side of the road.

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The crash was reported at 1:10 p.m.

Albert Lea firefighters and Gold Cross Ambulance assisted on scene.

Alcohol, speed or drugs were not contributing factors to the crash, according to police. 

About Sam Wilmes

Sam Wilmes covers crime, courts and government for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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