WILLMAR, MN : Motorcyclist injured in Willmar crash on Tuesday, June 13, 2017

A Ford Escape was hit on the driver side by a Kawasaki motorcycle on First Street South, near the entrance to Menards, just before noon Tuesday, sending the motorcycle driver to the hospital.

Roberto Valdez III, 19, of Willmar, was rushed to Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar with serious injuries, said Jim Felt, chief of the Willmar Police Department.

William Bergstad, 86, of Appleton, driver of the Ford Escape, was reportedly pulling out of the Menards parking lot to turn North on First Street at 11:23 a.m. when his car was hit on the driver's side as it collided with the southbound motorcyclist. One adult passenger was also in the Bergstad vehicle.

Valdez sustained a broken leg, a broken finger and a possible broken arm. He was wearing a helmet, which officers believe saved him from more severe injury.

"He was injured badly," Felt said. "But, without a helmet it would have been a lot worse."

Willmar Ambulance Service, Willmar Fire Department, Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office, Kandiyohi County Rescue Squad and the Minnesota State Patrol assisted with the accident.

The crash remains under investigation.

Source :
Motorcyclist injured in Willmar crash