Semi driver injured after truck rolls over in the wind near Austin
Apr. 16—WINDOM TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A man was injured in a semi truck rollover crash on Tuesday afternoon, April 16, 2024, near Austin in Mower County.
The 2021 Kenworth Tractor semi was traveling south on Minnesota Highway 56 when a large wind gust blew the semi over on the driver's side near 205th Street, according to a Minnesota State Patrol crash report. The National Weather Service reported wind gusts as high as 34 miles per hour in Austin on Tuesday afternoon. Gusty winds, hail and isolated tornadoes are possible throughout the evening in southern Iowa and western Wisconsin.
The semi driver, Todd Wolter, 62, of Denver, Iowa, had non-life threatening injuries. He was transported to Mayo Clinic Hospital-Austin.
The road conditions were wet, according to the report.
Both lanes of traffic were blocked for about two hours. The Minnesota Department of Transportation also recommended a detour and having "extra caution" for emergency personnel responding to the crash.
The Adams Fire Department, Rose Creek Fire Department, Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service and Mower County Sheriff's Office responded to the crash.
