Icy roads cause crashes on I-90

Published 9:42 am Tuesday, November 25, 2014

A 53-year-old Austin man was injured Monday morning after a van ran off the road and into the median on Interstate 90 east of the Oakland exit in eastern Freeborn County.

Joseph E. Houff, 53, was transported by ambulance to Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin for injuries deemed not life-threatening.

The crash was one of several taking place Monday morning on icy roadways.

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According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Tina J. Zirbes, 44, of Austin was driving a 2003 Ford Econoline van westbound on Interstate 90 in the right lane near mile marker 170 when she lost control of the van and skidded into the center median.

Houff was a passenger.

The report stated both Zirbes and Houff were wearing their seat belts. No alcohol was detected.

Assisting at the scene was the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, the Albert Lea Fire Department and Hayward first responders.

Authorities responded to a second crash with injuries at 12:57 p.m. Monday near the intersection of Interstate 90 and Minnesota Highway 13. The report stated a vehicle went over the south embankment of eastbound I-90. No other information was available as of press time.

A semi jackknifed on Interstate 35 north of Albert Lea early Monday morning, reportedly leaking 50 gallons of diesel fuel.

Multiple other crashes were reported without injuries.