Motorcyclist injured, flown to Rochester after collision with semi Friday

Published 5:44 pm Saturday, May 31, 2014

An Albert Lea motorcyclist was injured Friday afternoon after he collided with a semi on Freeborn County Road 46 near the Interstate 35 overpass.

Daniel P. Whelan, 52, was flown by Mayo One helicopter from the scene to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. His injuries are not life-threatening, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

Reports state Whelan was driving a 2011 Harley-Davidson motorcycle westbound on Freeborn County Road 46, when a 2015 Freightliner semi pulled out in front of him from the Interstate 35 ramp to turn east onto County 46.

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Whelan crashed into the semi, which was driven by Joshua P. Howard, 31, of Jonesboro, Ark.

When authorities arrived, the motorcycle was under the first set of tires on the driver’s side of the semi. Howard was not injured.

The crash took place at 12:39 p.m.

The State Patrol indicated Whelan was not wearing a helmet.

The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office and Gold Cross Ambulance crews assisted at the scene.