Driving down Highway 52 isn't usually a high-stress event, but things changed fast this morning. Around 10:20 a.m., the rhythm of Saturday traffic was shattered. A 69-year-old man from Circle Pines, Allen Kimber, was heading south near the 37th Street Northwest interchange in Rochester when his Toyota Tundra lost its grip on the world.
The road was a mess. Pure ice.
He hit the median wall hard. While early scanner reports had locals worried about a fatal car accident on hwy 52 south today, the official word from the Minnesota State Patrol is a bit more nuanced. Kimber survived, though he was rushed to St. Mary’s Hospital with injuries. It's a miracle, honestly, considering how mangled those median collisions usually look. But the "fatal" part of the morning's chatter actually stems from a separate, more tragic string of events happening across our region's icy corridors.
The Real Story Behind the Highway 52 Commute
Traffic basically ground to a halt. When you see those flashing reds and blues near the 37th Street exit, your heart just sinks. People were slowing down, peering through the sleet, trying to figure out if the road was even open.
The State Patrol was quick to point out that Kimber was wearing a seat belt. That’s probably why he’s still with us. Alcohol wasn't a factor. It was just the weather—that brutal Minnesota mix of snow and ice that turns a standard highway into a skating rink without warning.
But why the confusion about a fatality?
🔗 Read more: Johnny Somali AI Deepfake: What Really Happened in South Korea
Well, the scanner was lit up today. While the Rochester incident was an "injury" crash, the wider area has been reeling from a genuinely deadly collision that happened just hours prior on a nearby stretch. On Friday afternoon, a massive chain-reaction pileup on I-90 west of Reliance—just a jump over the border—claimed two lives and injured nearly a dozen others. When news breaks this fast, details get tangled. People hear "Hwy 52," they hear "fatal," and suddenly the narrative shifts.
Why This Stretch of Road Is So Dangerous Right Now
Honestly, Hwy 52 south of the Twin Cities and through Rochester is a different beast in January. You've got the elevation changes and those bridges that freeze way before the actual pavement does.
- Bridge Deck Freezing: The sections near the interchanges, like the one today at 37th Street, are notorious for "black ice."
- The Median Wall Factor: Unlike a soft ditch, the concrete medians on 52 don't give. They bounce you back into traffic or stop you dead.
- Variable Speeds: You have people doing 70 mph coming off the open stretches hitting local Rochester traffic doing 50. It’s a recipe for disaster when the friction coefficient drops to zero.
The Minnesota State Patrol’s District 2100 has been incredibly busy today. Just an hour before the Tundra hit the wall, another driver in a Chevrolet Trailblazer rolled their vehicle further south at Mile Post 77. They hit a guardrail and just... went over.
Fatalities and the "Near Miss" Culture
We talk about the fatal car accident on hwy 52 south today because, for many, it felt like one. Watching a truck crumple against a wall at highway speeds is traumatic. But we need to look at the data provided by the MSP.
Earlier this week, on January 12th, there was a fatal collision involving a Toyota Camry and a Chevy Pickup on Highway 3, which feeds into these major arteries. The proximity of these events creates a "danger zone" in the public mind.
💡 You might also like: Sweden School Shooting 2025: What Really Happened at Campus Risbergska
We are currently seeing a 150% increase in traffic fatalities compared to this time last year in certain Midwestern and coastal districts. It’s a staggering number. Is it the cars? The roads? Or just a really bad run of luck with the January thaw-and-freeze cycle?
What to Do If You're Stuck in the Backup
If you were one of the hundreds sitting behind the flares this morning, you know the drill. But for those heading out later, listen up. The State Patrol is still clearing debris near the MP58 and MP77 markers.
Basically, don't be a hero.
If you see a "Slippery" warning on the overhead MNDOT signs, they aren't joking. Allen Kimber was a local—he knew these roads. If a 69-year-old with decades of winter driving experience can lose a Tundra, you can lose your sedan.
Practical Steps for the Rest of Today
Traffic is moving again, but the underlying problem hasn't gone away. The temperatures are hovering right at that point where ice remains "greasy."
📖 Related: Will Palestine Ever Be Free: What Most People Get Wrong
- Check the MSP Media Portal: Don't rely on Facebook groups. The official crash updates are the only place to get names and actual fatality statuses.
- Avoid the 37th St Interchange if possible: Residual salt and sand are being applied, but it’s still slick.
- Slow down on the bridges: I know, everyone says it. But today proved it.
- Update your emergency kit: If Kimber had been stuck in that truck for two hours in sub-zero temps without help, the "injury" status might have changed.
The most important thing to remember about the fatal car accident on hwy 52 south today is that while we dodged a bullet in the Rochester city limits, the conditions that cause these tragedies are still very much present. Stay off the phone, keep your eyes on the road, and give the plows some room to work.
Check your tire pressure before you head back out this evening. Cold snaps drop your PSI, and on ice, you need every bit of contact patch you can get. If you’re heading south toward Chatfield or Fountain, expect even worse conditions as the wind picks up across the open fields.
Stay safe out there.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify real-time road conditions via the MNDOT 511 app before crossing bridge decks.
- Ensure your vehicle's Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is active and not accidentally toggled off.
- If you witness a crash, pull over only if it is safe to do so and call 911 immediately with the nearest Mile Post (MP) number.