Woman Critically Injured in Weather-Related Crash Near Rochester

Get our free mobile app

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The State Patrol is indicating the slick conditions created by the slushy snow that fell across the region this morning may have contributed to a traffic crash near Rochester that left a woman with critical injuries.

The crash was reported just before 9 AM on Highway 42 northeast of Rochester near the intersection with 65th Street Northeast about 2 miles south of Elgin. The State Patrol says a pickup was traveling north on Highway 42 when it collided with a southbound Chevy Volt.

All four occupants of the electric vehicle were transported to St. Marys Hospital and one of the passengers suffered life-threatening injuries. The State Patrol identified her as 65-year-old Kathleen Michaud of Menomonie, Wisconsin.

The driver and two children passengers suffered what the State Patrol described as non-life-threatening injuries. The driver was identified as 40-year-old Kimberly O'Connor of Elgin. The two injured children were identified as 4-year-old Levi and 13-year-old Logan O'Connor of Elgin.

The driver of the pickup, 69-year-old Bruce Ihrke of Plainview, was not hurt. The State Patrol report on the crash indicated all five people involved were wearing seatbelts.