Former Minnesota Senate staffer critically injured in crash

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. (AP) — A former Minnesota Senate staffer fired over an affair with the majority leader has been critically injured in a Dakota County crash.

The Minnesota State Patrol says Michael Brodkorb's car struck the wall of a bridge along 35E in Mendota Heights Wednesday about 9 p.m. and came to rest against a concrete median barrier. The State Patrol's accident report says alcohol was detected. Brodkorb was not wearing a seat belt. The State Patrol says he was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul where he's in critical condition.

Brodkorb was an aide to Senate Republicans and filed a lawsuit last year after he was fired over his affair with then-Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch. Brodkorb alleges he was a victim of discrimination because of his gender and had his personal privacy violated.