By Brenda Erdahl
A three-car accident at the start of the busy holiday weekend sent three people to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and closed Hwy. 55 east of Maple Lake for more than one hour.
The accident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. at the corner of Hwy. 55 and Dempsey Ave. NW when a vehicle rear-ended another vehicle that was attempting to turn left onto Hwy. 55, Maple Lake Fire Chief Steve Peterson said. The vehicle attempting to turn was pushed out into oncoming traffic where another vehicle got involved.
The Maple Lake Fire Department sent a crew of four to the scene who spent close to 1 ½ hours directing heavy traffic on Hwy. 55 by alternately shutting down lanes and then cleaning up the debris. Maple Lake also sent its ambulance with a crew of four who delivered the injured to the hospital. Vehicles involved included a pick-up truck, a van and a commercial vehicle from Browns Ice Cream.
The accident was investigated by the Minnesota State Patrol. Wright County Deputies also assisted.