VIDEO: Crews Pull Target Truck from Pond West of Albertville

Slowly, but surely, the winches began to crank, and the Target truck that has made national news today emerged from its icy home.

After more than eight hours partially submerged in a pond off the westbound lane of Interstate 94, a pair of Collins Towing trucks were able to pull the semi truck and trailer from a small pond.

The crash, which happened near mile marker 197 on Interstate 94, according to the Minnesota Highway Patrol, started in the eastbound lane. But driver John Netiffee of Anoka was able to avoid the westbound lanes of traffic and skidded his rig across several hundred feet of ice before it sank into the freezing water.

Netiffe, 35, climbed out of his truck and onto the ice, making his way to safety, Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske said.

Westbound traffic was at a crawl much of the afternoon as highway crews and contractors worked to remove the truck from the water.