According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the bridge will be closed while crews work to adjust the cable stays on the bridge.

A couple of the cables snapped on the bridge in February, temporarily closing a stretch of the highway underneath and sidelining light rail service in the area for days.

In February, the Department of Public Works said a failed diaphram plate from the bridge was found on the ground with the cables still connected to it.

After the incident, the bridge was closed to pedestrian traffic.

From Wednesday at 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. the next morning, Highway 55 will be closed between East 26th Street and East 28th Street as crews adjust the tension on the bridge’s cable stays.

(credit: CBS)

ST. PAUL (WCCO) – A truck flipped over in a Friday morning crash in St. Paul, Minn. The accident happened at the intersection of Summit and Cleveland Avenues.

Police on the scene said the driver of the truck was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

He was wearing a neck brace when he got in to the ambulance but was walking around and talking prior to that.

Witnesses at the scene of the accident said they didn’t hear the sound of screeching tires or anyone braking, only a loud crunch on impact.

But, MnDOT traffic engineer Sue Groth says that’s four too many deaths. MnDOT and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety are urging motorists to be cautious as more bicyclists join them on the road as the weather improves.

The DPS says most bicycle crashes occur during afternoon rush hours, and people under age 25 represent more than half of all bicyclists injured annually.

From 2008 to 2010, 32 bicyclists were killed and more than 2,800 bicyclists were injured.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

The eastbound I-94 closure will be rescheduled for a later date this spring.

The I-94 improvement project between downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul includes resurfacing, reconstruction of the shoulders and bridge maintenance work, among other items.

According to the patrol, the accident happened at about 3:15 p.m. on Highway 101 and County Road 36 in St. Michael.

The patrol said a 2004 Ford Taurus was traveling northbound on Highway 101 as a 1999 Mercedes was merging onto the highway from County Road 36.

The Mercedes sped up to merge, and the Taurus slammed on its breaks as it went from the left lane to the right lane to avoid crashing.

The back end of the Taurus lost control, went back into the left lane and hit the back end of the Mercedes, causing both vehicles to rollover into the ditch.

The driver of the Mercedes — 49-year-old Stanislav Tarasov of Otsego, Minn. — was killed in the crash. The driver of the Taurus received minor injuries, according to the patrol. He was identified as 50-year-old Brian Stichter of Princeton, Minn.

Starting at 10 p.m. Friday, eastbound I-94 will close from Interstate 394 to Highway 55 in Minneapolis.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation says detours are posted.

All ramps and roadways will reopen by 5 a.m. on Monday.

Crews are working to resurface the road as part of an ongoing I-94 improvement project.

The City Council’s Transportation and Public Works Committee announced Tuesday that the repair will be done in two phases: the first begins this summer, while the second begins in 2013. During the fall reopening, some lane restrictions will be in effect, and bikes and pedestrians will not be allowed until the second phase.

Closed in October 2010, the bridge suffered major deterioration in the cables that run inside the bridge. Motor vehicle traffic was stopped, while bike and pedestrian traffic was allowed. The City has set aside $6 million for repair funding.

In July, crews will focus on the center span of the bridge, where corroded cables and crumbling concrete will be repaired and replaced. After the center span is fixed, then traffic will be reopened, and other spans will be the focus of phase two in 2013.

First opened in 1982, the Plymouth Avenue Bridge carried over 14,000 vehicles a day.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — In the Twin Cities, drivers will feel the impact from four major road projects this summer. It’s starting with the Highway 52 Lafayette Bridge in St. Paul.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will also resurface 35E between St. Paul and Forest Lake and complete the Highway 169 and 494 interchange.

Then four times this summer, sections of Interstate 94 between Minneapolis and St. Paul will be closed on the weekend for resurfacing.

The project that is going to create the pain for the most people will be Interstate 94. Parts of the  interstate will be shut down for four weekends this spring and summer. The first closure will be next weekend from east bound 394 to Highway 55 and Hiawatha Avenue.

In addition, there will be ramp closures throughout the summer. Any interruptions on I-94 are especially tough because University Avenue is still under construction for light rail.

Donovan Van Horne told us it will be especially tough for motorcycle drivers.

“It’s a pain in the butt, it’s terrible the roads are all torn up and people don’t know how to drive,” Van Horne said.

At a morning news conference a MnDot Spokesman pulled no punches.

“It’s going to be a tough season ahead for travelers in the metro area,” Said Tom O’Keefe.

But the pain won’t be as great as two summers ago, when both the multi-year Highway 62 project and work on Interstate 94 went on all summer.

However if you live by one of the big projects, like Interstate 494 and Highway 169, you will face delays.

“It’s a pain definitely, but that is what you can expect with road construction this time of year,” said Chad Paulsen, who works in the area.

But some like Julie Johnson have figured out the ultimate detour.

“I just ride my bike to work,” she said.

All the projects for the Twin Cities metro area are listed below:

• Continuing work on the Highway 52 Lafayette Bridge in St. Paul
• Resurfacing I-35E between St. Paul and Forest Lake
• Continuing work on the Hwy. 169 and I-494 interchange.

Projects in Greater Minnesota include:

• Constructing an interchange on Highway 14 in North Mankato
• Resurfacing portions of Hwy. 10 between Clear Lake and Big Lake
• Resurfacing 28 miles of Hwy. 71 in Koochiching County

Drivers are urged to check 511 for up-to-date information about traffic and road conditions during the summer construction.

“People are going to see a lot of orange cones, a lot of barrels out there. And it’s going to be very similar to what they’ve seen in recent years,” said Sorel.

For a complete list of projects, including construction dates and traffic impacts, visit www.dot.state.mn.us/construction.

The accident happened Saturday around 6 p.m. on Diffley Road and Amber Leaf Trail.

Investigators said the crash happened after one of the motorists crossed the center line.

The victims were 18-year-old Ashim Ahmed Jr. and 42-year-old Kelly Kristiansen, both of Eagan.

The drivers were both alone in their vehicles.

The State Patrol is still trying to determined how the crash happened.

Police said this weekend they were trying to determine whether alcohol was a factor in the crash.

According to authorities, the crash happened near County Road 92.

Authorities said the crash happened in a left-turn lane. One car slammed on the brakes to avoid crashing into another car waiting to make a left turn, and then the car that braked was itself crashed into by a third car.

The crash caused the braking car to enter oncoming traffic, where the crash occurred.

Air ambulance crews were summoned to the scene to transport one person to North Memorial Medical Center.

Authorities said there were no fatalities, but the accident was causing significant headaches for commuters who use the western metro area thoroughfare, which was reportedly shut down to traffic.

It would replace the aging Stillwater lift bridge with a four-lane highway connecting Oak Park Heights and St. Joseph, Wis.

The plan was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday.

Critics say the big project is too expensive, and will hurt the environment.

Supporters say it will bring an economic boost to the area, and ease congestion.

WEB EXTRAS: Latest Forecast | School Delays | Traffic Maps | Weather Advisories | Winter Resources

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) — The sloppy, wintry mess that Minnesota has thus far mostly avoided has arrived, with many parts of the state seeing a nasty mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain.

The State Patrol reported 71 crashes in the Twin Cities metro area since 9 p.m. Tuesday evening, with nine of them involving injuries. Statewide, there were 84 crashes reported, with 19 involving injuries. No serious or fatal crashes were reported.

The winter mix was also snarling up public transportation. Metro Transit reported that, of 429 buses on 100 routes, they were operating at a rate of 49 percent on time. The average delay for buses was reportedly 8 minutes.

Xcel Energy is also reporting that 5,015 customers are experiencing outages as of 3:11 p.m. Due to the outages, a Lifetime Fitness in St. Louis Park has been temporarily closed.

The highest snow total reported in the state so far, according to WCCO meteorologist Lauren Casey, was in Alexandria, which reported 12 inches by Wednesday morning. Casey reported, “ice accumulation from freezing rain overnight in Waseca brought down a 10-inch diameter tree branch.”

Click here to see if the city you live in has declared a snow emergency

Meanwhile up north, the University of Minnesota Duluth and the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College are among the hundreds of schools that closed Wednesday as a late winter storm made travel difficult.

A storm warning is in effect for much of Minnesota, with the heaviest snow in central Minnesota. The National Weather Service predicted up to more than a foot of snow from Fergus Falls to Duluth by Wednesday afternoon.

The late winter storm has delivered more than a foot of snow to northern Wisconsin, closed dozens of schools and created treacherous driving conditions.

School districts throughout central and northern Wisconsin opted to keep children at home Wednesday. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for northern and central regions of the Badger State.

Check back for the latest updates.

GALLERY: Your Wintry Snow Photos

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

The incident happened on the westbound side of I-94, near Mounds Boulevard.

The westbound lanes were shut down for about an hour while crews hooked up the semi to a tow-truck.

The driver was not injured.

The State Patrol reported another jackknifed semi truck along I-94 near Ashby Wednesday morning, near milepost 74.

According to the State Patrol, there were 84 crashes, 101 vehicles off the road or spun out, and 4 jackknife incidents on Minnesota roads statewide since 9 p.m. Tuesday.

RIVER FALLS, Wis. (WCCO) – The driver of a semi truck was killed Monday after a crash and fire that closed Interstate 94 in western Wisconsin Monday morning.

The semi truck was reportedly a fuel tanker carrying nearly 7,500 gallons of fuel. Authorities said the tanker was headed eastbound on the highway around 5:30 a.m. when it crossed the median and came to rest in the westbound lanes.

Authorities say the truck struck the northside of the Wisconsin 65 bridge pier, causing the rear of the trailer to separate from the cab and explode.

The explosion destroyed the semi and killed the lone occupant, who was from northern Wisconsin, according to The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).

The driver’s name has not yet been released.

WisDOT says the carrier is from Kane Transportation Inc., which is out of Sauk Centre, Minn.

Traffic cameras showed a semi fully engulfed in flames at mile marker 10 in the city of Roberts, Wis.

Traffic — both eastbound and westbound — was rerouted. At around 6 p.m., traffic in all lanes resumed.

Due to the heat, the pavement of I-94 will need to be repaired. Crews are milling off the damaged pavement. Drivers should expect rough driving conditions in the area, WisDOT says.

Weight limits on Highway 65 will also be posted at 40 tons.

The bridge near which the trailer exploded is structurally sound, but it is being replaced as part of a pre-existing improvement plan, WisDOT says.

(credit: Wisconsin Department of Transportation)

Service was suspended between three stops along Hiawatha Avenue in Minneapolis on Monday after a suspension cable was found snapped from the nearby Martin Olav Sabo pedestrian bridge.

Metro Transit shut down service out of concern about the bridge’s stability. All week, buses transported rail passengers between the Franklin Avenue and 38th Street stations.

The detour added between 15 minutes to a half-hour to riders’ commute times.

On Friday at 1:15 p.m., crews announced that support structures had been put in place underneath the pedestrian bridge.

The bridge recovery team’s inspections were met with satisfaction that the light rail service could once again begin in the area.

As of Friday afternoon, Highway 55 remained closed between 26th Street and Lake Street. The Department of Transportation is working to see when the road can reopen.

The pedestrian bridge itself is closed until further notice.

The State Patrol says 64-year-old Gerald Gunderson, of St. Peter, was killed in an accident that happened at about 12:30 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 3 and Detelemark Road, about two miles south of Northfield.

According to the Northfield Patch, Deputy Chief of Police Chuck Walerius said Gunderson suffered a medical issue, though it wasn’t immediately clear if that caused the crash.

Gunderson’s 1999 Peterbuilt Conventional semi truck rolled on a stretch of two-lane highway. Authorities say the truck left the road way, went into the east ditch and struck a set of power poles.

Authorities closed the highway for several hours as a result of the crash, which is still under investigation by the Minnesota State Patrol and the Rice County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the Northfield Patch, Gunderson’s truck was hauling sand.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — For the third day now, commuters in south Minneapolis are coping with the extra headache of getting around a closed section of Hiawatha Avenue.

The Hiawatha light rail line is also not running in that part of town because of a closed pedestrian bridge.

Officials say they continue to work to secure the bridge and have installed two sets of the four support structures that need to be put in place.

They estimate the remaining supports will be in place in the next day or two. Once all four are ready, they say they can begin work to release the tension from a second set of cables that were also compromised.

Rail service remains suspended at three stations around the Martin Olav Sabo pedestrian bridge, where a cable snapped Sunday.

Minneapolis city engineers are now working with the bridge’s original designers to come up with the best plans for repair.

Metro Transit has added additional bus routes to help reduce some of the stress this is causing.

Replacement bus service is available at all three stations affected along the Hiawatha light rail line.

The buses will continue until further notice, but commuters are advised to continue expecting delays.

A release from the city of Minneapolis states, “City and County bridge and engineering staff, in collaboration with Mn/DOT and Metro Transit, will determine when the bridge is stabilized enough to reopen Hiawatha Avenue to traffic and the Hiawatha Light Rail line. The Sabo Bridge itself will remain closed until repair work is completed.”

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A college campus is reeling and four sets of parents are dealing with the loss of their daughters. Those young women were just starting out at North Dakota State University.

Lauren Peterson, Megan Sample, Jordan Playle, and Danielle Renninger died Monday on the way back to school from the Twin Cities.

Their car slid into oncoming traffic on Interstate 94 near Alexandria.

On Tuesday classmates left cards on the dorm where two of the friends lived. “Losing four out of the campus is like losing 4 family members,” said NDSU student Cody Hanson.

Each of the four women killed were freshman at NDSU and had only been students there for about five months. But cards and messages left on the doors of their dorm rooms showed just how much they’ll be missed.

“People that don’t even know these girls are mourning and sending their prayers to families and friends,” said NDSU student Courtney Picket.

More than 200 miles from Fargo, the sorrow was felt just as much. Each of the women graduated from high school in the Twin Cities. Peterson, who was driving Monday, graduated from Prior Lake.

On Peterson’s Facebook page friends remembered her love for dance. One wrote, “I’ve been thinking of you all day, it just seems so fake. I feel peace in the fact that your dancing on clouds, and hanging with the angels.”

Renninger graduated from Minnetonka High School and was studying marketing at NDSU. Tuesday morning students and teachers were remembering Danielle as someone who inspired others.

“A lot of us are just trying to figure out why stuff like this happens. We’re going through memories of Danielle and celebrating her life together,” said teacher Erik Sill.

Sample and Playle graduated from Rogers High School together, and lived in the same dorm room on campus.

In a statement, Jordan’s family said, “Jordan approached life with great joy and happiness. She loved life, and brought the best out in the people around her. No one could have a better daughter, sister, or friend.” “Jordan was a really pretty girl. Everyone liked her. There was no one who didn’t like her,” said Rogers student Logan Boward.

Playle, Sample, and Renninger all lived in the same dorm at NDSU. The women, along with Peterson, had been home visiting their families for President’s Day weekend. All four were wearing their seatbelts, and alcohol has been ruled out as a cause for the crash.

Renninger’s mom said her daughter told her she was proud of how she was doing in school, and that she was getting straight A’s. Her parents said she had a great smile and was wise beyond her years.

On Wednesday at Minnetonka High School they will have a pink-out day to remember Danielle.

According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened near County Road 82 and Town Hall Road at about 6:15 p.m.

An Oldsmobile van traveling eastbound on County Road 82 was involved in a crash with a Chevrolet Trail Blazer traveling in the opposite direction.

A 13-year-old passenger in the van, Megan Carlson, was pronounced dead of her injuries at a nearby hospital.

Her mother, 40-year-old Kristy Carlson, was driving the vehicle. She was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment.

The driver of the other vehicle, 38-year-old Erin McCoy, was taken to Douglas County Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Authorities believe snowy weather was a contributing factor in the crash.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Engineers found no sign of trouble during their last inspection of a pedestrian bridge in Minneapolis where a suspension cable broke loose Sunday night.

Mike Kennedy, director of transportation, maintenance and repair for Minneapolis Public Works, said the inspection in September turned up no problems with the 18 sets of cable that support the Martin Olav Sabo Bridge.

The bridge remains closed Tuesday and officials continue to detour the traffic underneath on busy Hiawatha Avenue.

The Hiawatha Light Rail line also remains closed between three nearby stations. Metro Transit is using buses to shuttle rail passengers around it, and says that added about 15 minutes to passengers’ morning commutes.

Kennedy says it’s too soon to say when Hiawatha Avenue, the bridge and the light-rail stops will reopen.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A bicycle and pedestrian bridge in Minneapolis has been closed for repairs after a cable support broke and caused a separate pair of cables to fail.

Service along Metro Transit’s light rail transit route was suspended between the 38th Street and Franklin Avenue stations Monday morning.

The snapped cable was one of those supporting the Martin Olav Sabo pedestrian bridge over Highway 55, just north of the Lake Street station.

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the break caused a pair of cables anchored east on the bridge to also fail.

The broken cable was reported by a bridge user who contacted authorities through 311.

MnDOT said Highway 55 would be closed to motorists between East 26th Street and Lake Street Monday while crews worked to repair the pedestrian bridge. Metro Transit plans to extend replacement bus service into the morning rush hour on Tuesday, as well.

Metro Transit bussed passengers between the two stations, with a stop at the bus station at ground level on Lake Street.

Mike Kennedy, director of public works with the City of Minneapolis, said the bridge will likely be closed for some time while crews work on repairs, but they’re hopeful Highway 55 below the bridge will be open by Tuesday.

The Martin Olav Sabo bridge opened in 2007.

Traffic management cameras showed an SUV on its roof in the meridian near 46th Street around 2 a.m.

All of the people inside the vehicle were able to get out and walk around, though an ambulance was called to the scene to check it out.

The State Patrol is still looking into what caused the crash.

HAM LAKE, Minn. (WCCO) – A second grade Isanti teacher dedicated to her students for 31 years never made it her classroom Friday morning.

According to Anoka County deputies, 54-year-old Norene L. Callahan died in an early morning car crash on her way to her job at Isanti Primary School.

Authorities said Callahan was driving north along Lexington Avenue when she lost control of her Honda sedan and began to spin. It appears slick road conditions from freshly fallen snow in the morning were a factor in the crash.

Callahan crossed into the southbound lane of traffic and was struck by a Chevrolet pickup truck. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured, according to the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.

Superintendent Bruce Novak described Callahan as a woman who cared more for others than herself in her 31 years with the district.

“I think that’s the part that people are really going to miss,” he said.

Jenni Strike, a special education teacher at Isanti Primary, says she remembers Callahan from when she was a student at the school.

“She always had a smile, she always had time to say hi to someone in the hallway. She remembered her students, talked about former students, upcoming students. She was a very lovely lady. Her kids would go up and give her hugs in the morning. They couldn’t wait to show her things,” said Strike.

Novak says the school district personally called the parents of her students, and many of the parents came to the school to take their kids home for the day. Social workers were also on hand for counseling, Novak said.

Sandra Williford volunteered in Callahan’s room and says the devastation goes even deeper. Callahan has a twin sister who also is a teacher in the district, at the Isanti Intermediate school.

“They would tag team back and forth, when she was gone, her sister would fill in. It was hard to tell the difference, but the students knew which one was which. And they are both super people, and I feel so bad for her right now,” said Williford.

The Anoka County medical examiner ruled Callahan died from multiple blunt force injuries suffered in the crash.

Callahan leaves behind her husband and two adult children.

“Norene really epitomizes what a teacher is all about, heart and caring for children,” said Novak. “I use the analogy often that we throw that pebble into the water, and the ripples spread on forever. Maureen has thrown a lot of pebbles into the water, and the ripples are still spreading out.”

The highway will close at Interstate 494 at 10 p.m. on Friday, and it will remain closed until 5 a.m. next Monday. The loop ramps from Highway 169 to Interstate 494 will also close.

MnDOT says drivers should expect delays and detours in both directions. Detours will direct drivers past the closure via Highway 212, Highway 62 and Highway 100.

The highway is closing so that crews can place beams for a new flyover bridge that goes from westbound Interstate 494 to southbound Highway 169.

The flyover bridge is part of a project that plans to turn the expressway into a freeway by rebuilding the interchange with six ramps instead of eight.

The resulting design plans to remove traffic signals, reduce congestion and improve safety, MnDOT says.

This morning crews lifted the last segment of arches into place. The keystone segment is 40 feet long and weighs 73,000 pounds.

Authorities say the Lowry Avenue Bridge is still on schedule to be finished sometime this summer.

The bridge was closed in 2008 because of structural issues and was demolished a year later.

According to the State Patrol, a Ford truck being driven by 21-year-old Daniel Johnson stopped in the wrong lane along Highway 2 west of Fisher, Minn.

The State Patrol reported foggy conditions on the highway, with very limited visibility.

At about 2 a.m., the vehicle was struck by a Plymouth sedan traveling in the opposite direction. The driver of the second vehicle was killed.

The State Patrol identified the victim as 39-year-old Darcey Jablonski, of Crookston.

Authorities said slick conditions and poor visibility led to a number of crashes overnight.

According to the State Patrol, the crash happened along Highway 63 at about 8:30 p.m.

A Honda Civic was on the shoulder of the road with its flashers on, waiting to turn into a farm road. Officers said the semi truck slowed upon approaching the other vehicle.

According to the State Patrol, the driver of the Civic — 25-year-old William Schmoll, of Spring Valley, Minn. — made a left turn across the lanes and ended up driving into the path of the semi.

Schmoll was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the semi truck — 58-year-old Ronald Houle, of Kensington, Minn. — was not injured in the crash.

OAKDALE, Minn. (WCCO) – A fatal crash involving a pedestrian has closed Highway 120 in Oakdale, Minn. Thursday morning.

Minnesota Department of Transportation cameras showed crews closing off the intersection at about 7 a.m. Highway 120 was closed in both directions between Hudson Road and Innovation Road.

Accident investigators say that 47-year-old Stephen Tague, of St. Paul, was killed trying to cross Highway 120 just before 7 a.m.

A witness told officers that the driver of the vehicle had a green light.

Officers said it doesn’t appear anyone was under the influence.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It’s almost as if the snow is directly targeting heavy commute times lately. Once again, a morning rush hour was brought to a crawl due to fresh snow.

The freezing rain from Sunday transitioned to snow overnight, which made for a dicey rush hour.

The Minnesota State Patrol reported nearly 100 crashes statewide between 5 and 9:30 a.m. Monday, with 15 of those involving injuries.

Of those 100, about half were reported within the Twin Cities metro area.

None of the reported injuries were serious, according to the State Patrol.

There were 140 reported vehicles off the road or spinouts across the state; 53 of those were in the Twin Cities.

WCCO Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak said snowfall should remain steady through the morning and won’t wrap up in the Twin Cities until close to noon.

The snow may end a little later in the afternoon for the towns further east and in Wisconsin.

MnDOT plows are out treating streets and they remind drivers to keep their distance as they are working. State troopers said to be extra cautious on bridges and ramps because those tend to be the slickest spots.

There were three teenagers among the 10 deaths reported for 2012 so far.

“These crash victims are reasons every Minnesotan must remind loved ones to buckle up,” said State Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske.

The department also pointed out that, of the 23 motorists killed in December, only five were wearing seat belts.

It is against the law to be inside a moving vehicle without wearing a seat belt.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Commuters in the Twin Cities were once again familiarized with the art of driving on freshly fallen snow, as a few light flakes coated parts of the metro area.

Tuesday morning’s commute was a little slower than usual for many, as slick conditions brought motorists down to a crawl in some spots.

Minnesota Department of Transportation traffic cameras showed a number of crashes in spots. WCCO traffic reporter Natalie Kane said she saw at least three crashes on the Interstate 94 curve going into the Lowry Hill Tunnel alone.

Entrance and exit ramps, as well as shoulders and bridge decks were all affected by the overnight snow cover. However, the State Patrol was reporting no major injury accidents early Tuesday morning.

The snow had mostly trailed off in the Twin Cities by mid-morning, but there may be more snow coming later this week, according to WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak.

Another storm system should move in on Wednesday. Snow is expected to fall more heavily in the northern part of the state, but a line may move in bringing another coating during the Wednesday afternoon and evening commute.

The system is not expected to bring much in the way of shovelable snow, but the timing should make for another trying commute.

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WCCO) – The Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office says a group of teens were “hill jumping” in their car prior to a crash that killed three of them last month.

The Dec. 20 crash killed 13-year-old McKenna Johnson, 14-year-old Austin Gable and 15-year-old Marco Perez. There were also two other teenagers in the car — 13-year-old Ulises Ponce and 16-year-old Felicia Bertrang.

Johnson was two months pregnant at the time of the crash.

“When you know they’re underage juveniles, that they’ve got the rest of their lives in front of them, it stopped that night for them because of some poor decisions,” said Eau Claire Sheriff Ron Cramer.

Authorities said the teens were trying to launch their car in the air for a thrill before the crash.

The sheriff’s office said the car was traveling at speeds over 80 miles per hour before it went airborne and crashed, coming to rest about 400 feet away at the bottom of a steep hill near the 6500 block of Walnut Road.

The car belonged to Bertrang. She gave Gable permission to drive the vehicle, and Eau Claire County authorities say she had a reputation of letting minors drive the car recklessly.

Gable’s family hopes that parents will use their loss as a lesson to control underage, and reckless driving.

“I don’t want other families to go through this,” said Gable’s grandfather Jerry Carpenter. “It’s just a minute existence, that’s all we’re doing is existing, and I don’t want any other family to go through this.”

This case has been forwarded to the district attorney’s office for possible charges against Bertrang. But Gable’s family says what they really want is an apology, and for her to admit what happened.

Toxicology results haven’t come back yet on Gable, but Eau Claire County authorities don’t have any reason to believe drugs were involved.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the crash happened Thursday afternoon.

A Toyota Yaris being driven by 31-year-old Marissa Drew of Waukesha, Wis. lost control traveling westbound on Interstate 94 over the Chippewa River. The vehicle then traveled through the median and was struck by an eastbound semi truck.

Upon collision, the semi overturned and struck the guardrail and bridge, coming to a rest blocking both lanes of traffic.

Drew was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the truck, 54-year-old Eugene Marier, was taken to Mayo Clinic on Eau Claire, Wis. with non-life threatening injuries.

(credit: CBS)

OSSEO, Minn. (WCCO) – Eastbound lanes of Interstate 694 in the west metro were shut down because of a crash early Thursday morning.

The semi truck rolled over on the Interstate near Highway 169.

The driver did not appear to have any injuries.

Eastbound lanes of 694 were shut down for crews the clear the mess. As of 6:30 a.m., some of those lanes have reopened, but traffic remained slow in the area.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Once again, it’s time to pack up the car and head over the river and through the woods. But will the river and woods be free from snow and ice?

Meteorologist Matt Brickman says that, though there are some snow flurries and a lot of wind around the state this Friday, accumulations should hold below 1 inch total.

Christmas Eve should be pretty clear and warmer than average.

Winds should pick up again on Christmas day going into next week, but no snow is expected to make the trip home through the woods and over the river.

Watch Brickman’s full forecast above, and check the WCCO Weather page for all the latest conditions.

The State Patrol said the collision occurred near I-35E and Tart Lake Road shortly after 6 p.m.

Forty-six-year-old Tushar Gupta was standing behind a stalled vehicle, when he “for an unknown reason” jumped in front of the first vehicle, the Patrol said.

A second vehicle behind the first also struck Gupta, who was already down in the roadway.

Gupta was pronounced dead at the scene. Neither of the drivers were injured.

Southbound I-35E was closed for a while, but has been reopened.

According to Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, Wis., 16-year-old Felicia Bertrang has been upgraded to fair condition Thursday morning.

She had been in critical following the single-car accident that killed driver 14-year-old Austin Gable as well as passengers 13-year-old Makena Johnson and 15-year-old Marco Perez.

Thirteen-year-old Ulises Ponce was also injured in the crash. His current condition was not reported.

The State Patrol said the crash happened near Eau Claire around 7 p.m. Tuesday after a car was seen speeding in Washington Township.

The vehicle crashed, rolled over and ended up at the bottom of a steep hill near the 6500 block of Walnut Road. All involved were reportedly students in the Eleva-Strum School District.

The county sheriff’s office is still investigating, and a reconstruction team is working to determine the cause of the crash.

The sheriff said speed was a contributing factor, and toxicology tests will be conducted on the driver. Alcohol is not suspected in the crash, but investigators are looking into a Facebook post that suggests at least one of the passengers had been smoking marijuana.

Counselors are at the school to help classmates grieve.

The crash happened along Highway 65 near 143rd Avenue Northeast just before 8 a.m. The bus was stopped on 143rd and attempting to cross the highway when it was struck.

According to the State Patrol, the 23-year-old driver of the vehicle, which was driving northbound on Highway 65, fell asleep while on the road. The car veered into the ditch.

When the car approached 143rd, where the bus was waiting to cross, it hit an embankment and went airborne over the hood of the bus and into the ditch on the other side, the State Patrol said.

The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office said the vehicle involved in the crash landed on its roof.

One minor injury was reported, though no one had yet been transported from the scene.

The Anoka-Hennepin School District said there were four people aboard the bus at the time of the crash — two students, the driver and a para-educator.

None of the people aboard the bus sustained any injury. A second bus was sent to the scene to transport the students to Roosevelt Middle School.

According to the State Patrol, the driver of the car was on the scene, speaking with authorities. There were no immediate signs of impairment.

Both drivers told the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office they were “shook up” by the incident.

ST. PAUL (WCCO) – MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A suspected drunk driver killed a 21-year-old man involved in a car accident and hit a Good Samaritan who stopped to help him on Interstate 94 Sunday night, authorities said.

The incident involved two crashes.

The State Patrol said that the initial crash happened around 11 p.m., when a pickup truck driven by Marcus Andary merged onto westbound Interstate 94 and ran into another car on the highway, causing that car to lose control and roll, partially blocking the left lane of the road.

Andary and a witness, 37-year-old Keith Barnes of Minneapolis, went to help the rolled-over car’s driver, 22-year-old Alicia Kaufenberg of St. Paul. Almost immediately after, the second crash happened: An alleged drunk driver crashed his van into Kaufenberg’s car, hitting both Andary and Barnes.

Andary, an Iowa State student, died instantly. Barnes and Kaufenberg are both in critical condition.

The driver of the van, 62-year-old Eugene Farrell of Minneapolis, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. He has been booked at Ramsey County Jail, according to the State Patrol.

Farrell has one previous careless driving conviction on his record from May 2005 in Dakota County.

Lt. Eric Roeske of the State Patrol said Sunday’s tragedy is an example of why the patrol urges people not to get out of their cars and help victims.

“Obviously when something like this happens, it’s a person’s natural reaction to help,” he said. “But it’s a very dangerous situation, and anyone who tries to help and is out on the freeway in these conditions really needs to exercise extreme cautions.”

The State Patrol is still investigating the incident.

Remembering Andary

Andary was a high school hockey standout in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., where he graduated in 2008. Andary went on to play hockey at Iowa State. His friends and former teammates are currently mourning his death.

Brian Rooney, Iowa State’s hockey team captain, said he wasn’t surprised to hear Andary tried to help Kaufenberg.

“The guy would give you the shirt off his back,” Rooney said.

The crash happened near St. Augusta, Minn. along County Road 142 at about 5 a.m. Tuesday.

According to the sheriff’s office, rescue workers responding to the scene tried to revive the driver, who has been identified as 52-year-old Joseph Salzbrun of Kimball, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said Salzbrun was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The sheriff’s office said that there was some fog in the area at the time of the crash, and that slippery roads may have also been a factor.

The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the crash.

As of 9 a.m., there had been seven crashes in Stearns County.