Man, 89, dies after minibus blows tire, crashed on I-394

Article by: Star Tribune
Updated: July 11, 2012 - 9:36 PM

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A minibus crash on westbound Interstate 394 snarled traffic on Wednesday morning.

Photo: MnDOT,

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An 89-year-old man was killed Wednesday morning when the minibus in which he was riding blew a tire, spun out of control and crashed into a concrete barrier on westbound Interstate 394, according to the State Patrol.

Charles Miranda of Minneapolis died in the accident, according to the State Patrol. The driver, Lalji Patel, 55, of Crystal, had no apparent injuries. Another passenger, Beverly Gilman, 85, of Minneapolis, was taken to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale to be treated for minor injuries.

All three were wearing seat belts. The crash happened shortly before 9 a.m. near Park Place Boulevard.

The vehicle, a 2000 Chevrolet Express, was carrying residents from Augustana Apartments of Minneapolis, a senior community. It was the only vehicle in the accident and ended up in the middle lane of the highway facing the wrong direction.

Tim Middendorf, Augustana Care's chief operating officer, released a statement saying that Augustana was "deeply saddened" by the accident. He said they were assisting the State Patrol's accident investigation and would do its own review as well.

After about an hour and a half of lane restrictions, the road fully reopened to traffic around 10:30 a.m.

STAFF REPORTS