(Spirit Lake)– Thunderstorms with freezing rain caused headaches for travelers Sunday evening headed home from the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Storms accompanied by sharp lightening and crashing thunder dumped nearly three quarters-of-an-inch of rain that quickly froze…turning many roads into skating rinks.
There were several reports of vehicles going into ditches, with the more serious accidents being reported in southwest Minnesota.
The Minnesota State Patrol says five people were injured in a single-vehicle rollover on Highway 60 in Jackson county.
Authorities say 36-year-old Scott Johnston of Mankato lost control of a 2001 Chevrolet Venture at mile marker 30. The vehicle left the road and rolled. No injuries were reported to Johnston. Five passengers were taken to the Windom hospital where they were treated and released for bumps and bruises.
Severe damage was reported to the vehicle.
The mishap took place around 7:40 p.m.
A two-vehicle collision at the junction of Highway 60 and Interstate 90 in Worthington sent two people to the hospital.
The State Patrol says 40-year-old Curtis Meyer of Columbia Heights, Minnesota had stopped for a stop sign when he was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by 34-year-old Andrea Ball of Windom.
Meyer and a passenger in his vehicle, 38-year-old Renee Meyer of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, were both taken to the Worthington hospital where they were treated for minor injuries and released. No injuries were reported to Ball.
Moderate damage was reported to both vehicles.
The mishap took place shortly after 7:00 p.m.
The National Weather Service says more rain and thunderstorms can be expected tonight and Tuesday with warmer temperatures; followed by the first arctic outbreak of the season Wednesday with a high only in the mid 20’s. Sub-zero temperatures could be possible Thursday night.
