Politics & Government

Alcohol a Factor in Crash That Seriously Injured Michael Brodkorb

The 39-year-old Eagan resident was listed in critical condition following the accident, which took place on Interstate 35E in Mendota Heights.

Former Republican staffer Michael Brodkorb was seriously injured after a vehicle he was driving struck the median wall on Interstate 35E in Mendota Heights.

The accident took place at 9:15 p.m. on Wednesday night, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. Brodkorb, a 39-year-old Eagan resident, wasn't wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident, according to a state patrol accident report. Alcohol also played a role in the accident, the state patrol said.

Brodkorb, a political activist who authored the blog "Minnesota Democrats Exposed," was elected to the position of deputy chair of the Minnesota GOP in 2010. He was fired after his affair with former Majority Leader Amy Koch came to light. Last year, the controversial political figure filed a wrongful termination suit, alleging he was the victim of gender discrimination.

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Brodkorb was driving in the northbound lanes of I-35E when his vehicle, a 2004 Subaru Forester ran off the right side of the road and struck a cement wall, according to the state patrol. The vehicle careened back across the northbound lanes and hit the median wall, where it came to rest.

Brodkorb was the only occupant of the vehicle at the time, the report said. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. Brodkorb was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul for treatment.

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Brodkorb's last tweet on social media platform Twitter mentions a "Get to Know You Party" at the Amsterdam Bar and Grill in St. Paul on Wednesday evening. It is not known at this time if he attended the event.

Regions Hospital officials declined to release any information on Thursday morning regarding Brodkorb's condition or treatment to members of the media, citing family members' requests for privacy.


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