You’re likely here because you’re stuck in a mess or heard the sirens. Traffic is a nightmare. Honestly, Highway 55 has a reputation for this, and today didn't do much to help that.
Early this morning, a multi-vehicle collision near the South Haven area turned a routine commute into a standstill. If you’ve driven that stretch of Hwy 55 in Minnesota, you know it's a tight squeeze. The Minnesota State Patrol was out there fast, but when a semi gets involved, things get complicated.
The Reality of the Accident Hwy 55 Today
Basically, a passenger vehicle and a freightliner ended up in a head-on situation. It happened about a mile east of South Haven.
Preliminary reports from the investigators suggest the eastbound Ford Fusion crossed the line. It hit a westbound semi. The impact was severe. Sadly, the driver of the car, identified as 63-year-old Bette Loise Nelson, did not survive the scene.
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The truck driver and a passenger were rushed to CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital. Their injuries weren't life-threatening, but you can imagine the shock.
Why the Cleanup Took So Long
Semis are heavy. They don't just "tow away" like a Honda Civic.
- Fuel spills are a massive headache for EPA standards.
- The debris field on two-lane highways like 55 covers both directions.
- Law enforcement has to map the scene for the crash report.
Traffic Hotspots and Ongoing Construction
It isn't just today’s crash causing the headache. If you’re heading further south into Missouri or out toward Orange County's SR-55, there’s a whole different set of problems.
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In St. Louis, I-55 is basically a construction zone until further notice. We're talking lane closures from I-44 all the way down to Weber. If you think today’s accident on Hwy 55 today was bad, try navigating the Virginia Avenue on-ramp closures during rush hour.
Out in California, the "Focus on 55" project is still eating up lanes between the 405 and the 5. They're adding carpool lanes, which sounds great for 2027, but right now? It's just a lot of orange cones and brake lights.
Staying Safe on These Stretches
Highway 55, especially the rural parts in Minnesota and Idaho, is notoriously "kinda" dangerous because of the high speeds and lack of medians.
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One minute you're cruising at 60 mph, and the next, someone is turning left into a farm driveway. It happens fast. The Wright County Sheriff’s office often points out that distracted driving on these straightaways is a leading cause of these "crossed the center line" accidents.
Actionable Steps for Your Commute
If you have to travel Highway 55 today or any day this week, check the MnDOT or MoDOT "QuickMap" apps before you put the car in gear. Seriously. A five-minute check saves you an hour of staring at a semi's tailgate.
Keep your lights on even during the day. On two-lane roads, it helps people see you through the glare. Most importantly, give the trucks space. They can't stop on a dime, and today's tragedy is a stark reminder of what happens when things go wrong at 55 mph.
Check local scanners or official state patrol Twitter feeds for the absolute latest on lane re-openings. These scenes are fluid, and what was closed ten minutes ago might be a crawl now.