The Democratic vice presidential nominee, Tim Walz, was involved in a crash on the highway while traveling from the airport to a campaign stop in Milwaukee. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both called Walz to check on him after the incident. Walz, who is also the governor of Minnesota, was uninjured in the crash, which involved vehicles near the rear of the motorcade while he was riding closer to the front. Despite the collision, Walz reassured everyone that with a few minor injuries, everyone involved would be okay. He expressed gratitude to the US Secret Service and local first responders for their quick reaction.
The White House stated that Vice President Kamala Harris was briefed on the collision and checked in with Walz and his staff to ensure their well-being. Some members of the press traveling with Walz suffered minor injuries, including scrapes, bruises, and a bloody nose. One member of the press initially feared a concussion but eventually opted to continue on to the event with the rest of the press after being assessed by paramedics. Walz and his motorcade stopped at the hospital a few hours after the crash to check on the staff members who were involved.
The crash occurred shortly before 1 p.m. local time on Interstate 794, but the cause of the incident was not immediately clear. Images posted on social media showed large passenger vans with crumpled front and backends, indicating a serious collision. Walz’s wife, Gwen, was also with him at the airport where they were greeted by Democratic Rep. Gwen Moore of Wisconsin before the motorcade began the trip to the event. The campaign stops on Labor Day were the first on the Harris-Walz campaign charter aircraft, which is adorned with decals of an American flag, the words “Harris-Walz,” and “A New Way Forward.”
President Biden was also traveling on Air Force One to a separate campaign event in Pittsburgh with Vice President Harris when he called Walz to check on his well-being after the crash. Harris, who was campaigning in Detroit before joining Biden for the joint event later in the day, also spoke with Walz by phone to ensure that he was okay. The crash highlights the risks and challenges of campaign travel, as accidents can occur even with the highest security protocols in place. Despite the incident, Walz and his team remained dedicated to continuing on with their campaign schedule, with the support of Biden, Harris, and their respective staff members.
