Icy Conditions Cause Accidents In, Around Albertville Monday

Although the March 18 blizzard warning for Albertville and St. Michael has moved on, some icy roads caused questionable travel conditions Monday. 

The Wright County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single vehicle rollover accident March 18 on County Road 19 south of 80th Street Northeast. When law enforcement arrived, they found the vehicle “on its roof resting on a guide wire for the utility pole,” according to Wright County Sheriff's Office Captain Greg Howell. 

The driver, a 17-old-year-old Otsego woman, told responders she “lost control on the icy roads, drove off road right and rolled upon hitting the embankment.” The driver denied being injured but was checked by medical personal. 

The Interstate 94 area through St. Michael, Albertville to St. Cloud, had 43 accidents Monday, according to Minnesota State Patrol Sgt. Jesse Grabow, with most of the accidents happening between Sauk Centre and Monticello. 

The weather and road conditions also prompted a closure March 18 for St. Michael-Albertville public schools as well. Many individuals commented on the St. Michael Patch Facebook page about the closure – the majority supporting the district’s decision. Comments on Monday included: 

Heidi Jo Highet - Little people on buses in bad weather with just one or two adults for 50+ of them bad combination when that bus goes in the ditch because they can't see the road due to the wind whipped snow. 

Kayla Sheets - Keep in mind there are staff members that may travel from further away that would have to make it in to the school as well. I know my sister has a couple teachers in middle school that come from st.cloud each day. We are under a blizzard warning for a reason and I think safety is more important than a day of school. I enjoyed the snow day and kids did too.

Julene Earley Vrieze - To start late and then end up closing early - how productive is that for anyone? Neither the kids and teachers at school or the parents who get to work late and then have to leave early will get much of anything done. I think the schools made the best call based on the information available.

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