Skateboarder Struck And Killed In St. Paul

ST. PAUL (WCCO) — A skateboarder who died after being hit by a truck Tuesday night in St. Paul has been identified.

Police say 35-year-old Soren Hallberg was riding through an alley near the intersection of Grand Avenue and Fairview Avenue South in St. Paul when he collided with a truck and trailer.

The driver of the truck says he didn't see the victim before the collision. Witnesses told police Hallberg was moving at a fairly high speed at the time of impact.

Police also believe Hallberg was wearing headphones.

"We looked at the skateboard this morning -- a lot of wear and tear on it," said Sgt. Paul Paulos of the St. Paul Police. "I would say he's a pretty avid skateboarder."

Hallberg's parents came by the crash scene on Wednesday morning to see it for themselves. They said Soren was their youngest and they are in the depths of grief.

A friend of the victim since childhood, Luke Fournier, remembered his friend fondly.

"Soren was a genuine guy and best friend," Fournier said. "He loved fishing, soccer, the outdoors, animals, and skateboarding. I always thought of Soren as a scientist of sorts, brilliant guy."

The truck driver has been cleared of wrongdoing, and police say they do not plan to file charges.

Hallberg was rushed to Regions Hospital after the incident, but died this morning.

He has a wife and a young daughter.