Three vehicles in the motorcade escorting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to a campaign event in Milwaukee were involved in a crash on Monday, resulting in some passengers being taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Secret Service.
The incident occurred on Interstate 794 as the motorcade was en route to Walz’s scheduled appearance at the Milwaukee Area Labor Council’s “Laborfest 2024,” where the Democratic vice presidential nominee was set to speak. Reporters traveling with the motorcade reported that staff in the vehicles were “violently thrown forward” as one van collided with another.
Governor Walz’s vehicle was not involved in the crash. Ambulances responded to the scene to provide immediate medical assistance. U.S. Secret Service spokesperson Joe Biesk confirmed that the injured passengers were treated by medical personnel on-site before being transported to a local hospital.
According to a press pool report, one reporter suffered a bloody nose in the crash, while another is being evaluated for a possible concussion.
Vice President Kamala Harris was briefed on the incident and spoke with Walz to check on his wellbeing and that of his staff. President Joe Biden also called Walz after the collision, as confirmed by both the Harris-Walz campaign and a White House official. The president made the call before departing on Air Force One for Pittsburgh.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the cause of the crash. The incident has raised questions about motorcade safety protocols and may impact the campaign’s schedule in the coming days.
