Three Hospitalized After Two Stearns County Crashes

(KNSI) — Three people were taken to CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital after two separate crashes in Stearns County on Sunday and Monday.

The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office says the first crash happened around 9:45 a.m. Sunday at County Road 75 and County Road 134 in St. Joseph Township. Deputies say 50-year-old Nuria Abdinur Turane of St. Cloud turned onto County Road 134, found the road closed for construction, and turned around to take the detour west on County Road 75. Investigators say she pulled out in front of a westbound Chevy Traverse driven by a 75-year-old St. Joseph woman, who had the green light.

The St. Joseph woman and her passenger were taken to the hospital by Mayo Ambulance. Turane was evaluated at the scene and declined medical treatment. She was cited for failure to yield.

The second crash was reported around 2:26 p.m. Monday on County Road 1 near the Heims Mill Canoe Access in Le Sauk Township. A caller said a vehicle had gone off the road, possibly hit a tree, and was near the river.

Deputies found a 2018 Chevy Equinox that had flipped about 50 feet off the road in the tree line, very close to the Mississippi River. The driver, a 54-year-old Foley woman, was trapped inside and was freed by the Sartell Fire Department. She was the only person in the vehicle and was wearing her seat belt. She was taken to the hospital by ambulance with minor injuries.

Investigators say the woman was driving north approaching a curve just north of the Heims Mill access when she hit standing water in the northbound lane. The water sent the vehicle off the road and into the trees, where it rolled. The Stearns County Highway Department found a drain in the area was plugged by leaves, which combined with heavy rain that fell during the day.

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