29-Vehicle Crash on I-94 Near Monticello Injures 9

A Nov. 12 accident involving 29 vehicles, half of which were large commercial trucks, shut down Interstate 94 for hours in both directions near Monticello. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, this incident happened around 9 a.m. near Flenning Avenue Northeast, very soon after the first-ever snow squall warning had been issued by the National Weather Service.

Nine People Sent to Hospital

The 29-vehicle pile-up occurred near Monticello and sent a plume of black smoke into the air as a fire spread amongst the vehicles involved. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, nine people were taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. This included the driver of the semi-truck that initially caught fire. Traffic cameras in the area show that a number of the commercial trucks involved in the incident caught on fire shortly after the crash occurred.

One of the drivers caught in the middle of this massive collision says that heavy snow struck the area just before the incident occurred. According to Jim Rosenow, it was “just normal winter conditions.” However, he continues and says that “all of a sudden, just a wall of snow…white-out conditions. It was a matter of 30 seconds.”

Rosenow says that if traffic had not slowed down when the snow squall struck, the injuries could have been much worse. State police say that the investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

Snow Squall Warning, Whiteout Conditions

The National Weather Service issued a snow squall warning for the area where the collision occurred Thursday morning. This quick-hitting narrow band of snow moved across to Minnesota early on the morning of Nov. 12, dropping up to three inches in some areas in a very short period of time.

This was the first-ever snow squall warning issued by the National Weather Service. Residents in Minnesota understand that snowstorms can be dangerous, but they typically evolve slowly and allow people hours or days to prepare. However, snow squalls are an exception. These are intense bursts of snow that can produce white-out conditions within seconds and turn completely dry pavement into snow-covered undrivable pathways. Residents in and around areas where a snow squall may strike could receive alerts to their cell phones from the NWS, notifying them of potentially hazardous weather conditions.

The 29-vehicle pile-up involving multiple semi-trucks is a prime example of how dangerous snow squalls can be. Thankfully, nobody was seriously hurt in this incident. However, we urge all residents in Minnesota to heed the National Weather Service snow squall warnings so they can avoid becoming involved in it potentially dangerous collision.

Injured? Contact a Minnesota Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or somebody you love has been injured in a truck accident in Minnesota, contact the team at Knutson+Casey as soon as possible. We are ready to conduct a complete investigation into the incident so we can obtain full compensation for your injuries. This can include coverage of your medical bills, lost income if you cannot work, any household out-of-pocket expenses you incur, pain and suffering damages, and more. When you need a Minnesota truck accident lawyer, you can contact us for a free consultation online or by calling (507) 344-8888.