Season’s First Significant Snowfall Factor in Hundreds of Crashes

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) -  The first significant snowfall of the season, at the last report, has produced totals in the 3-6 inch range in the Rochester area.

The snow created difficult driving conditions throughout the day.  The Minnesota State Patrol, as of 8:30 PM had reported 432 crashes that resulted in 38 injuries. There were also more than 260 reports of vehicles in ditches, 25 spin outs, and 30 jackknifed semi-trucks.

One of the jackknife incidents forced the closure of westbound I-90 in Olmsted County between the Dover and St. Charles exits just before noon. The State Patrol says the driver of the truck, a 26-year-old man from Illinois, was transported to St. Marys Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A Stewartville woman was transported to St. Marys Hospital following a crash on Highway 52 in Rochester around 7:45 AM. The State Patrol says 23-year-old Ellie Stebbens was driving a car north on Highway 52 when she lost control and the vehicle came to a stop on the roadway near Apache Mall.

The preliminary crash report indicates another car, driven by 60-year-old James Hermes of Rochester, also stopped on the highway before a third car, driven by 46-year-old Kyle Kuchenmeister of Rochester, crashed into both of the stopped vehicles. The State Patrol says the two men did not require transport, while the injuries suffered by the Stewartville woman were described as non-life-threatening.