BARRON COUNTY -- Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald is urging residents to be cautious and stay safe on both trails and roads following 3 separate crashes in the last four days, including a multi-vehicle crash on HWY 53 north of HWY 8 early this morning, according to a press release from the Barron County Sheriff’s Department.
(Press Release) -- On Monday, January 20, 2020, at 9:55 p.m., on trail 33, a snowmobile operating by Jesse Andrews of Rice Lake struck a tree. Andrews was flown to an area hospital with what appeared to be a broken leg. Excessive speed was a contributing factor on this case.
On Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at 8:30 p.m., on 26th Ave near Hwy M, a snowmobile operating by Jerad Bellefeuille of Rice Lake failed to stop for a trail stop sign and struck a tree. He was extricated by the Rice Lake Fire Department from the tree and transported to MMC hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Excessive speed was a contributing factor in this crash.
On Friday, January 24, 2020, at 5:15 a.m., a 4-vehicle crash happened on Hwy 53 north of Hwy 8. A truck lost control and struck a guard rail. Two semi-trucks traveling north collided with each other to avoid this crash and a vehicle that was travelling behind the semi-trucks could not stop in time and stuck the back of one of them.
Only one minor injury and one lane of Hwy 53 was closed for about one hour. All lanes are back open at this time and this accident remains under investigation.
With warm weather and fresh snow, the snowmobiles will be out all weekend. Reminder to stay on our marked trails and respect our landowners who allow all the great trails in Barron County.
Have a safe weekend on the trails and on our roads.
- Per Chris Fitzgerald, Barron County Sheriff
Last Update: Jan 24, 2020 3:11 pm CST
