Westbound I-94 near downtown Minneapolis turned into a crime scene early Wednesday, as a crash by the I-35W split left at least one person dead and shut down the major artery right as the morning drive was ramping up. Emergency crews, state troopers and reconstruction teams worked under flashing lights while tow trucks and cleanup crews moved in to clear wreckage and document the scene. Officials warned the closure could last into the early morning hours and urged drivers to steer clear if they could.
The Minnesota State Patrol said the collision happened around 2:30 a.m. on westbound I-94 near the I-35W interchange and described the crash as fatal. The Minnesota Department of Transportation expected the westbound lanes to stay closed until roughly 6 a.m., according to CBS Minnesota. Authorities held back details on how many vehicles were involved or how many people were hurt or killed while they processed the scene, and investigators said they would release more information once their on-site work is done.
KARE 11 reporter Cece Gaines laid out detour options for frustrated motorists. Drivers trying to reach I-394 via city streets were told to use Washington, Glenwood and Dunwoody avenues, and those already in Minneapolis were advised to head north on I-35W to connect with I-394. Eastbound drivers coming into the city were urged to use Highway 36 instead, per KARE 11. Officials cautioned that any workaround would likely tack extra minutes onto an already tense morning commute.
Detours and the Morning Commute
The I-94 corridor is one of the Twin Cities’ main east-west lifelines, so even a single early-morning closure can send shockwaves through the metro’s road network. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is already juggling a series of repair and rehabilitation projects on I-94 and nearby ramps that involve lane shifts and overnight closures, which can amplify the impact of a serious crash like this, according to MnDOT. Drivers were urged to budget extra time, keep an eye on message boards and follow posted detour signs around the scene.
What Investigators Are Looking For
Troopers and crash reconstruction specialists examined vehicle positions, tire and roadway marks and any available traffic camera footage to piece together what led up to the collision. Minneapolis officials said investigators would share more findings once they can confirm the identities of those involved and establish a clear sequence of events, per KARE 11. Anyone with dash-cam video or information was asked to contact the State Patrol.
Commuters were urged to check 511mn or MnDOT travel alerts for up-to-the-minute lane reopening information and to consider delaying non-essential trips until traffic settles down. This story will be updated as officials release additional details.
