There have been 7,220 crashes in Rochester since 2021. Where do they happen most?
ROCHESTER — If you've driven on Broadway Avenue, chances are you've gone through an intersection with one of the highest number of crashes.
Data obtained by the Post Bulletin revealed the 10 Rochester intersections with the highest number of crashes from August 2021 through July 2024.
In total, 495 crashes occurred at the 10 intersections over three years. Six of the 10 intersections are located along Broadway Avenue. Overall, there were 7,220 crashes in Rochester over the three-year span, with 1,075 resulting in injuries.
The intersection with the highest number of crashes will undergo reconstruction in 2027 with a goal to decrease the number of crashes, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. As of July 31, 2024, there have been 104 crashes at these Rochester intersections.
The intersection near the entrance of Graham Park recorded 28 crashes over the three-year period with seven injuries.
In a tie for 10th, this intersection recorded 28 crashes with nine injuries. The intersection sits in the northwest corner of the city, near the plaza that's home to Purple Goat and Haley Comfort Systems.
The three-way intersection that faces Soldiers Field Golf Course recorded 29 crashes. Seven of those resulted in injuries.
Another intersection on Broadway Avenue, just south of John Hardy's BBQ, recorded 31 crashes, with 13 resulting injuries.
At the intersection between Kemps and Bryk on Broadway, 32 crashes were reported over three years. Four of those resulted in injuries.
Broadway Avenue South and 16th Street also recorded 32 crashes. Five incidents at the intersection near Scooter's Coffee resulted in injuries.
The intersection between Barlow Plaza and Joe's Auto & Tire recorded 36 crashes with 10 injuries.
There were 42 crashes at the 12th Street Southeast and Third Avenue Southeast intersection. Five of those incidents resulted in injuries. The intersection is located just north of the Workshop Food Hall & Bar and has a clear view of the Ear of Corn Water Tower.
A reported 43 crashes have occurred at 11th Avenue Northwest and Civic Center Drive Northwest from Aug. 1, 2021 through July 2024. The intersection sits between Nupa North, Walgreens and Coulee Bank. Nine incidents resulted in injuries.
RPD recorded 94 crashes at the intersection near the Apache Mall entrance. This intersection reported the highest number of incidents resulting in injuries at 16, including the death of 18-year-old Olivia Flores .
Flores died in a fatal crash involving former Minnesota state trooper Shane Roper. Roper was speeding in his squad car on 12th Street Southwest without his emergency lights or sirens activated, according to court documents. Roper's squad car struck the passenger side of a Ford Focus, which Flores sat in the back of. Five others were injured as a result of the crash.
Roper is facing nine criminal charges in Olmsted County District Court , including felony counts of second-degree manslaughter, criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular operation. His next court appearance is scheduled for November.
Over the last three years, RPD recorded 100 crashes and 13 resulting injuries at the 12th Street and Broadway Avenue South intersection. According to MnDOT, 50,000 vehicles travel through this intersection every day.
Cindy Morgan, MnDOT's public engagement coordinator, said a majority of the crashes at this intersection occur when drivers make a right turn. Often, drivers rear-end the vehicle in front of them in the right turn lane, or they merge into a vehicle due lack of visibility.
MnDOT shared its plans for reconstructing the intersection at a public meeting, where a redesign of the intersection was unveiled . Beginning in 2027, construction will begin at the 12th Street and Broadway Avenue South intersection with the goal of decreasing the number of crashes. The redesign proposal included two left-turn lanes and traditional right turns.
