MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A man is in critical condition after police say he lost control of his vehicle while allegedly street racing in Minneapolis.
Authorities say Jerry Vang was driving an orange Camaro around 6:48 p.m. Sunday on Spring Street in northeast Minneapolis when he lost control.
James Williams saw Vang drive over the curb, hit a tree and a bystander, before he was thrown from the vehicle. Witnesses said Vang was not wearing a seat belt during the race.
“I’ve heard of small stuff, like a wheel falling off, nothing like this. This was, this was bad. This was really bad,” said James Williams, who witnessed the crash.
Williams was one of the first to try to help Vang as he lay unconscious near his damaged vehicle.
“I was tearing up. Oh yeah, when I sat next to him, I was choking up. It was hard,” said Williams.
The bystander, identified as Lee Coleman, is currently in satisfactory condition. Vang remains in critical condition.
Witnesses say they think Vang was going at least 100 mph before he lost control.
“It makes me question not just the safety, but also the driver should know what they’re handling,” said Williams.
Those in the racing community say Vang usually doesn’t race — in fact, many say they’ve never seen him drive before.
Police said this area, which is considered the mid-city industrial neighborhood, is a popular for street racing.
Police said they are working on outreach and enforcement with area businesses, but street racing locations move around and happen sporadically.
