UPDATED: Man Airlifted After Wednesday Night Collision

Andrew Swanzy Essien, 49, was airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center on Wednesday night after the Jeep Cherokee he was driving was rear-ended near the intersection of Highway 3 South and Woodley Street.

Chief Chuck Walerius said Essien, of Lonsdale, was in stable condition Thursday, but said he may have suffered a brain injury; he was bleeding from the ear at the scene of the wreck.

Walerius said 47-year-old John Jay Beckman, of Northfield, was driving northbound in the left lane on Highway 3 in his Pontiac Firebird when Essien slowed for a red light at Woodley Street.

Beckman reached down to grab something off his seat, Walerius said, and when Beckman looked up, he was about to hit the Jeep.

Walerius said the impact of the collision sent the Jeep across the median and onto the sidewalk area near . The Jeep stopped when it hit a tree.

There were no skid marks on the road, Walerius said, and it's believed Beckman was going at least the posted 45 mph speed limit.

Beckman, as well as a passenger in the Jeep, were transported to for precautionary measures.

Walerius said all three were wearing their seat belts.

Alcohols or drugs are not believed to have contributed to the wreck, though Walerius said standard testing will happen to confirm that.

“That’s the type of thing you want to find out,” he said.

Depending on the results of those tests, the severity of Beckman's injuries and other information found during the investigation, Walerius said charges could come forward if the city or county attorney chooses to prosecute.

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