State Patrol investigating 20-vehicle crash north of Brainerd as snow, high winds move through state
Feb 19, 2022 04:27AM ● By EditorWatch the KSTP-TV Report here
By Krystal Frasier from KSTP-TV • February 18, 2022
The Minnesota State Patrol said Friday afternoon that it was investigating a crash involving 20 to 30 vehicles north of Brainerd. The crash happened at around 11:45 a.m. on Highway 371 near Gull Lake Drive, according to the State Patrol.
The agency said not all of the vehicles involved were damaged, as some went off the road to avoid the hazard.
Only non-life-threatening injuries were reported, although no official details or number of injuries were immediately available.
A number of the involved motorists were taken to a local fire hall while crews cleaned up the crash scene, the State Patrol said.
The road was still closed in both directions at 4 p.m.
Also Friday afternoon, the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office noted bad travel conditions that led to a jackknifed semi. Earlier Friday, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) said multiple roads were closed across northwest Minnesota due to blowing and drifting snow. In addition, Minnesota State Patrol troopers reported zero visibility in that same region.
MnDOT also reported multiple crashes across the state, including crashes on Highway 371 near Brainerd and Nisswa. One of the crashes happened between Ojibwa Park Rd. N and Peterson Rd, which closed the road. Drivers were encouraged to look for detours. Road conditions were listed as partially covered in the area early Friday afternoon.
MnDOT is also asking drivers to check road conditions before heading out.
To see the original report and read related stories, follow this link to the KSTP-TV website. https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/high-winds-blowing-snow-possible-friday-afternoon-and-evening/
