Car strikes motorized bicyclist in Brainerd

A Brainerd man was airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries following a car versus bicyclist crash Monday evening on Oak Street in Brainerd.

At about 6:10 p.m., Troy Thompson, 40, was crossing Oak Street from the Cenex Gas Station near the intersection with Ninth Street with his dog when he was hit by a westbound 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Kerri Nord, 50, Nisswa. The Minnesota State Patrol crash data classified Thompson's injuries as severe. He was airlifted to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale.

Thompson was not wearing a helmet, the state patrol reported.

A sizable crowd of 15-20 people watched emergency crews work at the crash site, which was near the Washington Educational Services Building. Brainerd Police officers set up a perimeter to block off Oak Street and state patrol troopers processed the crash scene.

Nord, who was not injured, stayed on scene. The state patrol reported no alcohol was detected in Nord's system. Andrew Nelson, 29, Sauk Rapids, Nord's passenger in the Pontiac, was not injured. Both Nord and Nelson were wearing seat belts.

Dustin Johnson was playing bean bags in his backyard with his young son Connor when he heard the impact and saw Thompson fly "25 feet" into the air, he said. Thompson's shoes went flying in different directions.

"It was not a good feeling," Johnson said of his emotions at the crash.

With another man, Johnson went to aid Thompson. Johnson said Thompson's injuries appeared severe, with serious head trauma and many cuts and lacerations.

"He didn't look good at all," Johnson said.

Johnson said Nord stayed in the car and was crying. It only took about one minute for a state trooper to arrive on scene, he said. Johnson could relate to the scene in Brainerd, saying he was in a severe crash in October and was airlifted. He ruptured his aorta and was in a coma for five weeks, he said.

Debris from the crash on the street included the crumpled motorized bicycle and a shoe from the bicyclist. Brainerd Firefighters sprayed the pavement at the crash site with firehoses.

Thompson's dog ran off following the crash, bystanders said.

ZACH KAYSER may be reached at 218-855-5860 or Zach.Kayser@brainerddispatch.com . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ZWKayser .

1/3: Emergency workers closed down part of Oak Street while they processed the crash site. Zach Kayser/Brainerd Dispatch

2/3: Firefighters clean the crash site with water. Thompson's shoe is visible in the foreground. Zach Kayser/Brainerd Dispatch

3/3: Emergency crews load Troy Thompson, 40, Brainerd, the victim of a car/bicyclist crash Monday, into an ambulance on Oak Street near the intersection with Ninth Street in Brainerd. He sustained serious injuries and was later airlifted. Zach Kayser/Brainerd Dispatch