An SUV veered into oncoming traffic Thursday morning on a highway near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, struck another SUV head-on and then hit two more vehicles, authorities said. A passenger in the wayward SUV was killed, and eight other people were injured.
The wreck occurred shortly after 11:30 a.m. on Hwy. 5, according to the State Patrol.
A Chevy Suburban southbound on Hwy. 5 crossed the median and collided head-on with a northbound Lincoln Navigator, the patrol said. The Suburban then hit a minivan and a car.
The identity of the person killed was not released, pending notification of relatives. He is a 30-year-old man, said Lt. Eric Roeske.
All four drivers were injured, as were four passengers. None of the injuries was considered life-threatening.
The injured drivers were identified as John A. Mikolich, 81, of White Bear Lake (minivan); William K. Grant, 64, of St. Paul (car); Rachel A. Jobes, 27, of Monticello, Minn. (Navigator), and Michael J. Brown, 25, of Coon Rapids (Suburban).
The passengers who were hurt were all in the Navigator, the patrol said. They were Miles R. Johnson, 39; Max W. Johnson, 32, of Monticello; Ryan Yanta, 35, of Albertville, Minn., and an unidentified male.
All but Brown were wearing seat belts. He was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.
