2 Killed in Early Monday Semi Crashes Across Southern Minnesota
BY MN CRIME STAFF
The scene of a fatal crash in Freeborn County early Monday morning. via MnDOT
Two separate crashes involving semi trucks left two drivers dead early Monday morning.
The difficult travel conditions came after freezing rain and sleet that moved across southern Minnesota, leaving roads coated with ice and making early-morning driving hazardous across much of the region.
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The first crash happened at about 2:01 a.m. on Dec. 22 along northbound Interstate 35 near milepost 20 in Bath Township in Freeborn County. The Minnesota State Patrol said a 2015 Peterbilt semi tractor and a 2020 Freightliner semi tractor were both traveling northbound when they collided and ended up in the median ditch. Road conditions were described as snow and ice.
The driver of the Peterbilt, Alessandro Gelsomino, 46, of Miami, Fla., was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a seat belt and alcohol was not a factor. The driver of the Freightliner, Standley Calixte, 34, of Hamilton, New Jersey, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea.
READ MORE > Freeborn County coverage
Several hours later, a second fatal crash was reported in Murray County. At about 7:27 a.m., a 2014 Freightliner semi traveling northbound on Highway 59 collided with a 2022 International straight truck traveling southbound at the intersection of Highway 59 and 156th Street in Mason Township. The State Patrol said road conditions were snow and ice.
The driver of the International straight truck, Michael Arthur Griffin, 61, of Tyler, Minn., suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to Sanford Sioux Falls. The driver of the Freightliner semi, a 58-year-old man from Minneota, Minn., was fatally injured, but has not yet been identified by authorities. Investigators said both drivers were not wearing seat belts. Alcohol was not believed to be a factor.
Both crashes remained under investigation as of Monday afternoon.
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