DEVILS LAKE – Five people were injured on Friday in an initial crash with two secondary crashes occurring on N.D. Highway 57, five and a half miles south of Devils Lake.

At the time of the crashes the area had blowing snow, severe crosswinds and significantly reduced visibility. The crashes occurred at 3:55 p.m.

The North Dakota Highway Patrol said a Ford Explorer spun out on the Highway 57 bridge spanning the waters of Devils Lake and stalled. A good Samaritan operating a Chevrolet Silverado saw the stalled motorist and stopped to assist. Then a motorist operating a Ford Expedition struck the rear of the Silverado and pushed it into the stalled Ford Explorer. The Ford Expedition was then struck by a Toyota Scion. The Toyota Scion also struck the Silverado. The stalled Ford Explorer was then struck by a Kia Optima which was struck by a GMC Sierra.

A secondary crash occurred when the stalled Ford Explorer was struck by a Toyota Camry. Another secondary crash occurred when a Pontiac G6 struck the Toyota Scion which was involved in the initial crash.

The patrol said the five people who were taken by ambulance to CHI St. Alexius Hospital in Devils Lake had minor injuries. They were treated and released the same day.

Highway 57 in the area of the crashes was closed to traffic for about two and a half hours for crash scene investigation and cleanup. The crashes remain under investigation by the Highway Patrol.