A Sunday afternoon drive on a rural stretch of Highway 3 in Castle Rock Township ended in tragedy when a 19-year-old passenger was killed in a head-on collision that also sent both drivers to the hospital, according to authorities.
The crash happened on Highway 3 in Dakota County, southeast of Minneapolis, and involved a Chevy Suburban and a Ford Fusion. Emergency crews from the Minnesota State Patrol and the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office rushed to the scene, shut down the highway, and redirected traffic while they worked the crash and started piecing together what happened.
According to KARE 11, the passenger who died was identified as 19-year-old Adin Castle. The outlet reports Castle was riding in the Ford Fusion. The Fusion's 18-year-old driver and the 36-year-old driver of the Suburban suffered injuries that were described as not life-threatening.
The Minnesota State Patrol said the crash occurred just after 3:30 p.m. Sunday on Highway 3 near 255th Street, when a southbound Chevy Suburban crossed the center line and hit a northbound Ford Fusion head-on near 225th Street, as reported by FOX 9. Troopers and sheriff's deputies blocked off the route during their on-scene investigation and asked drivers to find alternate ways around the area while crews cleared the wreckage.
Per KARE 11, the crash site is roughly 40 miles southeast of Minneapolis. Authorities said the State Patrol is continuing to work through the details and will release more information once it is available.
Investigation Underway
Investigators are still sorting out what caused the Suburban to cross the center line, and they have not yet said whether impairment, speed, or distraction might have been factors, according to FOX 9. Anyone who witnessed the collision or has dash cam footage from that stretch of Highway 3 around the time of the crash is being asked to contact the Minnesota State Patrol or the Dakota County Sheriff's Office.
Local Impact
Highway 3 is a rural two-lane connector for several small south metro communities, so a serious crash there can lock up traffic for hours while first responders and investigators work. The State Patrol said updates on the case will be shared as the investigation moves forward and after next of kin notifications are fully completed.
