One dead in fiery crash in Minneapolis' Lowry Hill tunnel, shutting down westbound I-94

April 19, 2021 at 4:01AM
MNDOT traffic cameras showed smoke coming from the Lowry Tunnel after a fatal crash on westbound Interstate 94 on Sunday, April 18. (Minnesota Department of Transportation/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The State Patrol is investigating a fatal crash Sunday night on westbound Interstate 94 in the Lowry Hill tunnel in Minneapolis.

A video posted to YouTube shows a car speeding into the tunnel before hitting the left guardrail, sending a shower of sparks. As the car enters the tunnel, it smashes into the wall, causing a flash of orange fire. The video then shows the car, engulfed in flames, skid to a stop as the tunnel fills with smoke.

According to State Patrol, the crash happened around 9:40 p.m. At 10 p.m., the State Patrol tweeted that the westbound lanes will be closed for "an extended period of time."

The Minneapolis Fire Department said one person was taken to a nearby hospital with unknown injuries.

A group of vehicles racing and doing burnouts inside the westbound Lowry Hill tunnel shut down the interstate last Sunday.

Staff writer Kim Hyatt contributed to this report.

Mara Klecker • 612-673-4440

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about the writer

Mara Klecker

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Mara Klecker covers suburban K-12 education for the Star Tribune.

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