Several Crashes Reported Amid Light Monday Snow
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Daytime snow showers Monday made for hazardous driving across Minnesota.
Light snow started falling around noon in several parts of the state, dusting icy roads and sidewalks with snow globe-like snow. Wind gusts up to 15 mph affected visibility and caused snow to blow across roadways.
The conditions might have contributed to several of the day's crashes and spin-outs.
Light snow this afternoon has caused significant travel issues in the Twin Cities metro area. Map from MNDOT: https://t.co/aHQ4hNPqVT #mnwx pic.twitter.com/ccxERsPG81
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) January 9, 2017
One crash south of the Twin Cities metro, near Lakeville, caused northbound Interstate 35W to close around 2:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, up near Duluth, State Patrol officials said troopers responded to a dozen crashes, 9 spin-outs and one crash with injuries.
RT @MSPPIO_NW: For those making the commute on I94 in WC MN - drive w/caution Trps at a few crashes (mp36, 68 & 101) pic.twitter.com/MdlW2iDpzG
— MN State Patrol (@MnDPS_MSP) January 9, 2017
Police in Apple Valley said Galaxie Avenue would be closed north of 140th Street for several hours due to a fatal traffic crash.
The two vehicle crash happened around 12:30 p.m. One vehicle overturned, ejecting the driver, police said. The 45-year-old male driver died at the scene.
Three occupants in the other vehicle -- a 42-year-old woman and two children, ages 1 and 2 -- were treated for minor injuries and released, according to police.
Witnesses said the man's vehicle was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Galaxie. At 140th Street, his vehicle struck the woman's vehicle.
Statewide, State Patrol said there 412 crashes and 230 spin outs as of 8:45 p.m.
Metro Transit said the snow was causing buses to run late Monday evening.
The snow is expected to move out of the state by the evening commute, leaving only a few inches (at most) in accumulation.
More light snow is on the way Tuesday morning, during the late commute and noontime hours. A dusting is also expected Wednesday before frigid arctic air moves for the weekend.