Touring El Salvadorian Band Roll Van On Icy Roads

Saturday morning, a touring El Salvadorian band that was traveling by van across Jackson County lost control and rolled . The Minnesota State Patrol responded to the accident and found that due to icy conditions the van slipped, flipped, rolled alongside a metal guardrail and came to rest upside down on Interstate 90.

All eight band members were injured, with two of them in critical condition. It was reported that one of the most severely injured was ejected from the van. Two of the band members were airlifted , the rest were taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Sounds like they are all a long ways from home at the time of these sever injuries. Hopefully, they will heal quickly. These cases can have complicated No fault and insurance coverage issues.

If you are in an accident, make sure to get the names of anyone who indicates they saw what happened. If you witness an accident, check to see if everyone is OK and stay around or at least give the drivers your contact information. If you are injured, seek the advice of an attorney who does that kind of work and who can explain your coverages and rights.

It’s October, but tragedies like this remind us that we are just starting to see snow. It’s never to early to be safe and review the winter road tips from DPS and MnDOT :

• Always use seat belts.

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly on icy/snow-covered roads to retain traction and avoid skids.

• Do not use cruise control.

• Do not “power up” hills, which may cause wheels to spin. Build momentum before reaching a hill and don’t stop while traveling uphill. Reduce speed before going downhill.

• Know your brakes. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of the foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.

• Give yourself plenty of travel time. Don’t put your schedule before safety.

• Clear snow and ice from vehicle windows, hood, headlights, brake lights and directional signals.

• Headlights must be turned on when it is snowing or sleeting.

Most police officers asked say the key is usually to Just Slow Down.