Construction worker hit by vehicle in East Bethel remains in critical condition

EAST BETHEL, Minn. (KMSP) - A construction worker is in grave condition after being hit by a distracted driver in a construction zone Monday, according to Anoka County Sheriff's Office.

A vehicle headed westbound on 237th Ave NE near 7th Avenue hit 33-year-old Laura Soto, who was working as a sign holder for the construction crew at the time. Officials found her around 1:00 p.m. in "grave condition" with life-threatening injuries. Emergency crews airlifted the woman to Hennepin County Medical Center, where she remains in critical condition.

A GoFundMe page for Soto said doctors woke her up briefly Monday night to confirm she was responsive, and during that time she wiggled her toes and gave everyone gathered there a thumbs-up.

She is the mother of six children, and was set to be married next March to her fiance Ryan Berg. He also says they were close to closing day on their first house.

The driver is a 19-year-old woman from East Bethel who investigators say was distracted at the time of the crash, though they determined alcohol was not a factor.

The case is still under investigation.