Woman struck by vehicle outside polling place in New Ulm
NEW ULM, Minn. (KMSP) - A 65-year-old woman headed to vote on Election Day was hit by a vehicle right outside a polling place in New Ulm, Minn., according to New Ulm police.
At 7:28 a.m., officers responded to a crash between a vehicle and pedestrian at 1st Street North and Garden Street. This intersection is in front of the Harman Park Shelter, which is a polling place for Ward 4 in New Ulm. According to the city's website, the polls opened at 7 a.m.
According to the investigation, the pedestrian, Paulette Schmeling, was in the crosswalk heading west across North Garden Street when the crash happened. Schmeling suffered severe injuries. After an ambulance took her to the New Ulm Medical Center, a helicopter brought her to Hennepin County Medical Center.
The driver, a 73-year-old man, was not injured in the crash. Officers do not believe speed, alcohol or cell phone use were factors in the crash.
The crash is still under investigation.
Police say this incident is the city's third pedestrian crash in the last 45 days.