UPDATE: St. Cloud PD Issues Press Release About Highway 23 Crash

(KNSI) – UPDATE 2: At 1:25 p.m. Thursday a garbage truck hit an overpass while traveling on Highway 23 in East Saint Cloud, setting off a chain reaction that closed the road entirely in one direction.

The 58-year-old man operating the truck is from Milaca and the rear assembly on his vehicle was elevated, causing it to smash into the side of the railroad bridge that crosses Minnesota Highway 23 near Wilson Avenue Southeast. There was significant damage to the garbage truck and the man had to go to St. Cloud Hospital due to his injuries.

The truck pulled down a road sign affixed to the bridge. It dropped onto the road below and hit two vehicles. Those cars collided with each other as a result and had to be removed from the scene.

State officials inspected the train bridge to ensure it was still structurally sound. Repairs were made to both the overpass and roadway before traffic was allowed to resume heading east. Minnesota 23 reopened at approximately 3:48 p.m.

UPDATE (3:48 p.m.) Division Street is back open in East St. Cloud at Wilson Avenue. More details about the crash are still expected.

Minnesota Highway 23/Division Street in East Saint Cloud is closed in one direction at Wilson Avenue with traffic heading west also greatly affected. Assistant Police Chief Jeffrey Oxton has put out a social media release urging commuters to avoid the area and find an alternate route.

There are bridges across the Mississippi River at University Drive, about a half-mile south, and at 1st/2nd Street, roughly three blocks north. Other potential detours include the 9th Avenue bridge connecting Sauk Rapids and St. Cloud and Minnesota Highway 15 in Sartell.

A semi truck collided with an overpass at Wilson Avenue, ripping down the road sign affixed to the side of the bridge. It is now wedged underneath and has suffered significant damage. Minnesota 23 is shut down entirely heading east.

The Saint Cloud Police Department says there will be a press release issued when the scene is cleared.

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