Politics & Government
MN State Patrol Continues To Investigate 29-Car Pileup
The Minnesota State Patrol says a semi's "non-emergency stop" may have started the massive chain-reaction crash.
WRIGHT COUNTY, MN — Investigators with the Minnesota State Patrol continued to investigate Thursday's 29-car pileup on Interstate 94 in Monticello. Police want information about a semitrailer with a white cab and white trailer that may have been stopped on I-94 near Wright County Road 18 in the traffic lane prior to the "chain-reaction" crash.
Witnesses said the semi was stopped on I-94 "in the flow of traffic," according to investigators. The driver may have been clearing snow from the vehicle's windshield, witnesses told police.
"It appears the non-emergency stop may have played a role in starting the chain of events in the crash," the Minnesota State Patrol said in a news release.
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Investigators are working to identify the driver or company of the stopped semi.
I-94 WESTBOUND CLOSED ST. MICHAEL TO MONTICELLO: Road closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles. Seek other routes; detour where possible. https://t.co/Kp2KAREwv3 pic.twitter.com/cCxzfXsrx1
— MnDOT District 3 (@MnDOTcentral) November 12, 2020
I94 Monticello - both EB & WB directions remain closed while the fire department continues to put out the fires. One load was tractor tires. Preliminary info indicates approximately 30 vehicles involved (half were semis) working to get road open https://t.co/UtVIO32TcR pic.twitter.com/pvRYB7xdbU
— Sgt. Jesse Grabow (@MSPPIO_NW) November 12, 2020
Nine people were hospitalized with minor injuries. Some drivers left the scene before first responders arrived, police said.
Find out what's happening in Maple Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Minnesota State Patrol is asking anyone with information on the crash to call the MSP St. Cloud District Office at (320) 223-6666.
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