Records
Numerous accidents reported during snow blitz
WILLMAR -- Local law enforcement agencies responded to 23 injury or property damage accidents Monday and Tuesday, when the area was hit with a mix of rain, snow, wind and plummeting temperatures. They also fielded reports of half-dozen vehicles that were stuck or in the ditch that didn't require police attention.
The bulk of accident happened between 1:30 p.m. Monday and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday when roads became snow-packed and icy.
Most of the accidents caused only damage to vehicles when they were unable to stop at slick intersections or in parking lots. Another accident caused a chain reaction involving three vehicles and yet another resulted in a vehicle hitting a sign and landing in a lake. Numerous vehicles simply ended up in the ditch.
At least one accident resulted in injuries that required treatment at Rice Memorial Hospital. According to police reports, that accident happened at 12:18 p.m. Tuesday at Trott Avenue and Third Street Southeast when a Jeep Cherokee driven by Sarah Loso, 30, of Willmar collided with a 1993 Ford pickup driven by Gonzalo Nino, 51, of Willmar.
Loso was going south of Third Street, failed to yield at a stop sign, and was struck by the pickup, which was going east on Trott Avenue.
Loso, Nino and a passenger in Nino's vehicle, Alejandro Alvarado, 52, of Willmar were treated for minor injuries.
Icy roads and travel conditions are continuing to cause problems. An accident Wednesday morning resulted in a vehicle colliding with a flag pole at the YMCA.
Theft
WILLMAR -- A woman told police Tuesday night that she saw a woman wearing her $400 snowmobile jacket that had been stolen. The incident was reported at 10:22 p.m.
