Icy roads contribute to fatal rollover near Ellendale

ELLENDALE —The Minnesota State Patrol has identified the person who died in a rollover crash Tuesday morning on Interstate 35 in Steele County as a 61-year-old Elk River man.

James A. Weinhold was reportedly driving a 2005 Ford Super Duty pickup southbound on I-35 near the New Richland and Blooming Prairie exit when he lost control on an icy part of the roadway, entered the west ditch and rolled, according to the State Patrol. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Weinhold was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash, and no alcohol was detected.

He did not have any passengers in the pickup.

The crash occurred at 5:39 a.m.

The Steele County Sheriff’s Office, Ellendale fire and ambulance crews and the Minnesota Department of Transportation assisted.