2 Ambulance Workers Seriously Injured In Buffalo Crash

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Three people were hospitalized after an Allina Health ambulance - with a patient inside - collided head-on with an SUV early Saturday morning in Wright County.

Lt. Sean Deringer of the Wright County Sheriff's office says this was an unusual crash considering those involved.

"It certainly brings it to a personal level when we know the people," Lt. Deringer said.

Emergency medical technician Timothy Daly, 43, was driving the ambulance with paramedic Brian Nagel, 30, who was in the passenger seat.

Marilyn Paumen, 51, was driving the SUV. Lt. Deringer says he believes weather played a role, but wouldn't comment on whether or not alcohol might have been a factor.

"The road conditions were horrible at the very best, there was about an inch and a half of snow on the ground at the time," he said.

As of Monday night, Daly has been released from Allina Hospital in Buffalo, while Nagel and Paumen are in critical condition at North Memorial Hospital.

According to a Facebook post by Allina Health EMS President Brian LaCroix, Daly suffered "significant bilateral orthopedic injuries to both lower extremities." Daly will need corrective surgery, and has been told to expect up to three months in a wheel chair.

LaCroix says Nagel "remains in the ICU, intubated and on a ventilator."

The patient being transported, Laura Worley, 35, was the one who made the 911 call for help. She was not injured in the crash and continued on to Allina Hospital in Buffalo via a new ambulance.

The Wright County Sheriff's office is checking the ambulance's GPS for clues about what might have caused the crash.

"We're hoping for the best for everybody involved," Lt. Deringer said.