Infant Among Four People Injured in Van Crash Near Albert Lea
Albert Lea, MN (KROC-AM News) - A van transporting nine people crashed into a ditch along I-35 near Albert Lea early this morning.
Wet Conditions May Have Contributed to the Crash
The State Patrol is reporting that the crash occurred around 5:40 a.m., approximately two miles north of the I-90 interchange. The preliminary crash report indicates the 2025 Transit van was traveling south on the wet roadway when it veered off the freeway and into the ditch.
Infant Among Those Injured
Four of the van's occupants, including an infant and a juvenile, were injured in the crash. The State Patrol identified the injured passengers as 15-year-old Mike Ortega, 18-year-old Andrew Ortiz, 26-year-old Jacqueline Melendez, and the infant, Riguel Ortega. They are all from Brooklyn Center and were transported to the Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital in Albert Lea with what were described as non-life-threatening injuries.
9 People Were in the Van
The State Patrol identified the driver as 46-year-old Josue Jimenez of Minneapolis. He was not injured.
The crash report indicates all of the occupants of the van were wearing seat belts and alcohol was not involved.
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Gallery Credit: Tony Hart
