Seatbelt saves Howard Lake driver from injury

INDEPENDENCE, MN – A Howard Lake driver escaped injury in a rollover crash on Highway 12 near Independence July 11.
The accident took place  at 6415 Highway 12 in Independence, around 5:46 p.m., according to West Hennepin Public Safety.
“The driver, Alan Hollmotz, 45, of Howard Lake, had been looking at directions printed on a paper; looked down to put the paper under something, when he felt himself driving unto the shoulder of the road,” commented officer Stephanie Heupel.
Hollmotz was traveling southbound in the 2415 block of County Road 92 and Highway 12 and was unable to correct his direction of travel.
His vehicle struck a driveway, which caused the vehicle to go airborne to the other side of the driveway, then the vehicle swung around facing east.
“Hollmotz was wearing his seatbelt, which prevented serious injuries,” said Director Ray McCoy of West Hennepin Public Safety.
Hollmotz refused medical transportation and was picked up at the scene by a relative. No alcohol was involved in the incident.