Winter Returns: Icy Conditions Cause Hundreds of Crashes on Minnesota’s Roads

Undated (KROC-AM News)- There were hundreds of traffic crashes after a wintery mix created slick traveling conditions on Minnesota’s roads Saturday night. 

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The freezing drizzle began moving into southeast Minnesota around 4:45 p.m. Saturday. The drizzle continued into Saturday night before switching over to snow. 

The precipitation resulted in the slippery travel conditions that caused 339 crashes statewide, according to the State Patrol. Troopers also responded to 122 vehicle spin outs and five jack-knifed semi trucks. 

36 of the traffic incidents resulted in injuries. No serious injuries or fatalities were reported as of 6:30 Sunday morning. 

The icy roads forced Rochester Public Transit to suspend service and pull their buses off of the city’s streets Saturday night. 

In Houston County a portion of Hwy. 44 north of Caledonia was closed due to multiple crashes caused by the slick conditions. The highway has since reopened. 

MnDOT indicates snow plows were out combating the ice as of Sunday morning. The National Weather Service in La Crosse expects the system to move out of the region by Sunday afternoon. 

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