Snow causes hundreds of crashes statewide

A spokesman for Minnesota State Patrol reports hundreds of vehicle spin-outs and accidents due to slick roads Monday morning.

Lt. Eric Roeske says it's been a busy day for state troopers responding to the incidents.

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"Statewide between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. troopers responded to 157 crashes on state highways and interstates and 255 vehicles off the road and vehicle spin-outs," he said.

About half of the crashes were in the metro area, he said. He notes that the incidents largely happened because motorists were driving too fast for the conditions.

Roeske says as of early afternoon, no serious injuries or fatalities had been reported to the State Patrol. But the agency only deals with state, U.S. and interstate highways, not all roadways.

MnDOT spokesman Kevin Gutknect notes that the Rochester area has issued a "no travel" advisory due to poor driving conditions.

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