Traffic on westbound Interstate 90 has resumed near the Minnesota border after it was shut down for almost two hours due to multiple crashes on the Mississippi River bridge about 2:30 p.m. today, according to La Crosse area law enforcement.

About 12 vehicles were involved in the chain-reaction crashes on the bridge, but only one woman had to be transported to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center with head and back injuries, authorities said.
Eight people were treated and scene and released, said Tri-State Ambulance Director Matt Zavadsky.

Four vehicles collided in two separate crashes, which then triggered

a pileup of eight vehicles near the foot of the bridge, authorities said.

Driver Jesse Carlson, 24, of Dresbach, Minn., was on his way home from work when he saw a vehicle spin out on the bridge and collide with another vehicle. He braked trying to avoid the other vehicles and found himself in the middle of the pileup.

“I must have got hit four or five times,” Carlson said, his 1994 tan Honda Accord smashed between four other vehicles.

Carlson managed to get out of his vehicle by climbing out the back passenger window. It was his first car crash, he said.

Eastbound I-90 also was closed down for a period of time to allow emergency vehicles access to the crash site, according to La Crosse County emergency dispatch.

Law enforcement also advises heavy snowfall in the area has made travel hazardous, so motorists should use caution.

For more on this, see Tuesday's Tribune or check back at www.lacrossetribune.com.

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