2 injured in apparent street race in northeast Minneapolis

Article by: MASAKO HIRSCH , Star Tribune
Updated: June 4, 2012 - 9:33 PM

A 44-year-old Woodbury driver was hurt when his Camaro veered off a street and hit a tree.

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An apparent street race Sunday evening in northeast Minneapolis ended in a crash that critically injured one man and put a bystander in the hospital, witnesses said Monday.

Jerry Vang, 44, of Woodbury, was injured when his Camaro, which was speeding down Spring Street NE. next to another car, veered off the road, struck a tree and flipped over, striking Lee Coleman, 40, who was watching, said several witnesses. Vang remained hospitalized Monday in critical condition and Coleman was in satisfactory condition, hospital officials said.

James Killen, who said he often goes to street races and witnessed the accident, said he believes that Vang was pressured into racing another car.

"I could tell Jerry didn't want to run. Everybody could tell Jerry didn't want to run," Killen said.

Eric Moen said he and Vang, both muscle car enthusiasts, decided to go to Spring Street Sunday night because it's known for races.

Moen claimed Vang wasn't racing, but rather demonstrating his new motor with a "pull," in which a single driver goes fast in a straight line.

"He's not a bad driver," Moen said. "He's a very experienced driver. It's just one of those freak incidents."

Among those in the group of people watching the race was Vang's 7-year-old child, he said.

Minneapolis police spokesman Sgt. William Palmer said he could not confirm whether a race occurred or if the incident was under investigation.

Masako Hirsch • 612-673-4263

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