A motorcade transporting Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz was involved in a highway collision on Monday while en route from the airport to a campaign event in Milwaukee. Fortunately, Walz was unharmed.
President Joe Biden called Walz shortly after the incident from Air Force One, as Biden was traveling to a separate campaign event in Pittsburgh with Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris, who was campaigning in Detroit, also contacted Walz to check on his well-being after the crash.
The Harris campaign reported that the crash affected vehicles near the rear of the motorcade. Walz, who is also the governor of Minnesota, was traveling closer to the front. Photos shared on social media showed passenger vans with significant damage to both the front and rear, indicating the collision occurred on Interstate 794.
The White House confirmed that Harris was informed of the incident and spoke with Walz to ensure he and his staff were safe.
Upon arriving at his event, Walz briefly addressed the situation, saying, “Some of my staff and members of the press traveling with us were involved in a traffic accident on the way here today.”
“We’ve spoken with the staff, and I’m relieved to say that with a few minor injuries, everyone’s going to be okay,” Walz continued. “President Biden and Vice President Harris called to check in, and we appreciate their concern. I want to sincerely thank the US Secret Service and all the local first responders for their quick reaction.”
The cause of the crash, which occurred just before 1 p.m. local time, remains unclear. The incident resulted in minor injuries.
According to a reporter traveling in Walz’s motorcade, a member of the pool staff, who was in a van carrying journalists, sustained an arm injury and received medical attention. The reporter noted that passengers were “violently thrown forward” as their van collided with the one in front and was struck from behind.
A few hours later, Walz stopped at the hospital to check on the staff members involved in the crash.
The van carrying reporters remained on the side of the road for several minutes after the accident. Some reporters suffered scrapes and bruises, one had a bloody nose, and another was concerned about a possible concussion but ultimately joined the press in a new van to continue to the event.
Paramedics evaluated anyone who requested medical attention, according to the pool report.
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The crash happened after Walz and his wife, Gwen, were welcomed at the airport by Democratic Rep. Gwen Moore of Wisconsin. The three embraced, chatted, and posed for a photo before the motorcade departed for the event.
Monday’s campaign stops, marking Labor Day, was Walz’s first aboard the Harris-Walz campaign charter aircraft, which is adorned with an American flag, the words “Harris-Walz,” and the slogan “A New Way Forward.”
