A 2002 Jeep wagon, driven by Chad E. Nelson of Minneapolis, rolled to a fatal stop in the southbound lane of I-35 near Willow River exit 205 on October 6. Nelson, 27, died at the scene of the one-vehicle accident about 9:35 am.

According to a Minnesota State Patrol report, Nelson was heading north on the freeway and passed a witness at an estimated 80-85 mph. He drifted to the right shoulder and overcorrected to the left when he lost control and rolled three times over the median before coming to a stop facing northeast on the southbound lane under County Road 43.