Sheriff: Crashes in Farmington, Northfield, Lakeville, the Result of 'Black Ice'

Each week, Dakota County Sheriff Dave Bellows releases a newsletter.

In case you haven't seen it, Patch has it.

Here is a sample of what was found in the newsletter.

Winter Weather and Roadways

Over the past week, deputies responded to a number of accidents resulting from our recent winter storms:

On Thursday, a 61-year-old woman from Farmington sustained serious injuries when sh elost control of her SUV while traveling northbound on Highway 52 near 200th Street. The SUV struck a guardrail, causing the vehicle to roll several times. The driver, who was the lone occupant, sustained head injuries and was taken by air ambulance to Regions Hospital in St Paul. Responding from the DCSO were Deputies Bruce Lohmann, Jen Lenarz, Bryan Wagner, and Ryan Olson, Sergeant Pat Enderlein, Captain Joe Leko, and Park Ranger Ryan Googins. 

On Wednesday, deputies responded to another rollover that occurred on County Road 23 (Cedar Avenue) near 255th Street in Eureka Township. The driver, a 50-year-old woman from Northfield, was traveling northbound on County Road 23 when she lost control on a patch of ice sending her car into a field. The driver was not injured in the crash. Responding from the DCSO were Deputies Jen Lenarzand Bryan Wagner. 

Earlier on Wednesday, deputies responded to a vehicle rollover, also on County Road 23 south of 247th Street. The driver, a 38-year old woman from Northfield, lost control of he rcar when it hit a patch of ice while going northbound. The driver was uninjured in the crash. Responding from the DCSO was Deputy Ryan Fitzgerald.

On the 11th of March, a semi driver traveling on County Road 46 (160th Street) near Hogan Avenue lost control of his truck when it hit a snow drift, pulling the semi a fair distance off the road. Responding from the Sheriff’s Office were Deputies Tom Hooperand Ryan Fitzgerald, as well as Sergeant Bruce Kammen.

A common theme in all all of these crashes and several others not listed is the weather and ice forming on the roadway surface. Late winter weather, combined with blowing snow across roadways, results in “blackice.” Good roadway surface can change quickly to a sheet of glare ice, and four-wheel drive or front-wheel drive vehicles do not provide any better traction once you hit black ice.

Be sure to maintain an appropriate speed for the weather conditions and always wear your seatbelt. Be a safe driver so we don’t have to write about deputies responding to your accident.