Fog & Ice Blamed for Multiple Injury Crashes Across Southeast Minnesota

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Slick travel conditions were a factor in multiple injury crashes across southeast Minnesota Tuesday morning. 

See Also: Southeast Minnesota Crash Sends Man & Woman to Hospital 

A light overnight rain coupled with overnight low temperatures at or below the freezing mark left foggy and icy conditions across the Rochester area. 

It prompted local authorities to warn the public of difficult travel conditions.

The State Patrol responded to at least three crashes involving injuries in southeast Minnesota. The accidents were reported in a less than two-hour window. 

State Patrol Responds to Three Injury Crashes in Less Than 2 Hours in Southeast Minnesota

Tuesday morning’s first injury crash occurred along Interstate 90 east of Austin. An eastbound SUV left the roadway and smashed into the median bar around 5:40 a.m. 

37-year-old Cecilia Gonzalez of Austin was identified as the driver. She was taken to an Austin Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the state crash report says. 

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The two other injury crashes occurred on Hwy. 52 south of Chatfield. 27-year-old Timothy Ray Brown of Preston was injured after his northbound minivan left the two-lane highway and rolled shortly before 6:30 a.m. 

About an hour later, a southbound pick-up driven by 52-year-old Jerald Scott Martin of Spring Valley rolled after entering the ditch in the same area. 

Both Brown and Martin were taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester with non-life-threatening injuries. 

The State Patrol says ice was present on the roads during all three crashes. All three drivers were buckled up and alcohol was not involved in any of the crashes, according to the crash reports. 

The Austin Police Department, Chatfield Police Department, Fountain Fire Department and Chatfield ambulance also responded to the crashes.