2 Hurt When Truck Goes Over Owatonna Bridge, Highlighting Dangers Of Cruise Control In Winter
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minnesota State Patrol says there were no serious injuries after a truck lost control and went over a bridge near Owatonna Tuesday.
A 2003 Ford Ranger spun out just before 9 a.m. on Interstate 35 and went off a bridge, landing on the railroad tracks below.
It took officials about two hours to clear the scene. Professionals used a tow truck to remove the car from the tracks.
"The driver was using cruise control, and even though it's relatively warm outside and the roads appear clear, using it in the winter is not recommended," the state patrol said in a statement.
WCCO asked drivers at the Eagan License Exam Station if they knew not to use cruise control in winter.
"My dad always told me not to use cruise control, so I just go with what he says," Marielle Jenquin of Prior Lake said. "But now I have a bigger car, so I don't know, I might be more testy with it."
Parker Benson just got his permit, but says he didn't learn that rule in his driver's manual.
"It just seems unsafe," Benson said.
Wayne Carlson teaches his students at ESSE School of Driving in Edina not to cruise in winter conditions.
"The cruise control doesn't know what to do in the ice," Carlson said.
The driver, a 28-year-old Owatonna man, and a passenger, a 25-year-old Faribault man, suffered non-life threatening injuries and were taken to a local hospital. They were both wearing seat belts.
The state patrol says alcohol was not involved, but speeding is a suspected factor.
