MONTICELLO — Three people suffered non-life-threatening injuries in a five-vehicle crash on westbound Interstate 94 in Monticello on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 22.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 4:52 p.m. near milepost 194. All five vehicles were traveling westbound when they collided.
Those injured were Shannon Blackmer, 30, of Faribault, and her passenger, Neil Wehrle, 29, of Minneapolis, who were traveling in a 2015 Ford Focus; and Karla Bracho Atencio, 21, of Becker, who was driving a 2011 Honda CR-V.
All three were transported to CentraCare’s Monticello Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The other drivers involved were Blake Hillstrom, 18, of Maple Lake, driving a 2012 Ford F-150; Caleb Smith, 27, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, driving a 2020 Ford Escape; and Paul Wetschka, 68, of Big Lake, driving a 2016 Toyota Highlander.
Wetschka's passenger, Maria Wetschka, 55, of Big Lake, also was uninjured.
All seven occupants were wearing seat belts, and alcohol was not suspected to be a factor, according to the State Patrol. Road conditions were dry at the time of the crash.
The State Patrol did not specify what caused the collision.
The Wright County Sheriff's Office, Monticello Fire Department and Century Care Ambulance assisted at the scene.