Albert Lea man injured in three-vehicle accident on Interstate 35 in Steele County Sunday evening

An Albert Lea man was injured in a three-vehicle accident on Interstate 35 in Steele County Sunday evening.

The Minnesota State Patrol reported that a 2008 Toyota Highlander being driven by 67-year old Gary J. Weier of Amherst, Wisconsin was traveling northbound on Interstate 35 and nearly came to a stop at approximately 7:55 p.m. Sunday evening when his vehicle was struck by a northbound 2004 Toyota Scion being driven by 40-year old James Eric Helland of Albert Lea at milepost 39 in Owatonna Township.  The State Patrol went on to report that Helland’s vehicle was then struck by a 2019 Chevy Suburban being driven by 42-year old Kathryn Jean O’Shea of White Bear Lake, which was also northbound on I-35 at the time of the accident.

Helland suffered non-;life threatening injuries, and he was transported to Owatonna Hospital for treatment, while both O’Shea and Weier were uninjured.  The State Patrol indicated that all three parties involved in the accident were wearing their seatbelts, and the Steele County Sheriff’s Office, the Owatonna Fire Department and Mayo Ambulance all assisted the State Patrol at the accident scene Sunday evening.