Skateboarder dies after striking pickup in St. Paul

A man on a skateboard zipped out of an alley around sunset near a busy intersection in St. Paul, struck a passing pickup truck and was killed, authorities said Wednesday.

The incident occurred about 8:40 p.m. Tuesday near Grand and Fairview Avenues, police said.

The man, identified by police as Soren Hallberg, 35, died early Wednesday at Regions Hospital.

Hallberg, who lives near the intersection, was "going pretty fast" as he headed west out of the alley behind Whole Foods and hit the pickup as it headed north on Fairview, said St. Paul police Sgt. Paul Paulos.

Hallberg then collided with the trailer that the pickup was pulling and landed in the street, Paulos said. The driver, 35-year-old Trevor Skalsky, of Coon Rapids, stopped immediately.

Paulos said Hallberg was wearing earbuds at the time. He was not wearing a helmet, he said.

"We know the driver of the truck did not see him at all," Paulos said. "My thing is: Pay attention. Put these things [earphones] down. Pay attention to your surroundings."

Hallberg leaves behind a wife and a daughter.

James Walsh and PAUL WALSH