Car explodes in Lowry Tunnel, April 18, 2021. Incredibly, the passenger survived. YouTube Tips ⓘ
Minnesota State Patrol and firefighters from Minneapolis responded about 9:40 p.m. Sunday, April 19, 2021 to a report of a single-vehicle crash with fire in the Lowry Hill Tunnel.
One person was dead at the scene, a second person died at the hospital and a third person was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries from a high-speed single-vehicle crash crash with an Interstate 94 median guardrail and wall.
The crash in the northbound lanes of Interstate 94 WEST at the south end of the Lowry Hill Tunnel occurred about 9:40 p.m. and caused the Minnesota State Patrol to close a portion of I-94 WEST for several hours. Lanes were re-opened by Monday morning, April 19, 2021.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the driver of a 2007 BMW 750 sedan was approaching the Lowry Hill Tunnel at high speed when the vehicle struck a concrete median wall. The impact caused the fuel tank to rupture and burst into flames, and the vehicle came to rest inside the tunnel, according to Minnesota State Patrol.
A video from the Minnesota Department of Transportation shows the car traveling at high speed on I-94 WEST on approach to the curve befor the entrance to go northbound into the tunnel. The driver and vehicle does not maneuver the right turn curve and the car hits the left guardrail and wall as it enters the tunnel. A flash or explosion occurs as the car disintegrates. The video then shows the burning car — with leaking burning fuel and debris — come to rest in the tunnel.
The tunnel filled with flames and black smoke. Several other motorists on I-94 WEST stopped and then tried to back up or turn around to escape the black smoke that was rising out of the tunnel opening. Some people exited their vehicles and fled on foot to get away from the thick smoke. The chaos of fleeing vehicles and fleeing pedestrian was a serious risk to the pedestrians.
Minnesota State Patrol did not initially release the names of the two victims that died, but said Demetrius Hart, 24, of Minneapolis, was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center. Initially the person driving was not determined.
The south entrance to the 1500-foot Lowry Hill Tunnel follows a sharp right-hand turn with a recommended speed of 35 MPH.
Fire crews responded to a car crash in the Lowry Tunnel, 94 WB. Car involved in crash caught fire. Fire crews were able to extinguish the car fire. Report of one deceased and one with unknown injuries; transported to a nearby hospital. Cause of accident are under investigation.
— Minneapolis Fire (@MinneapolisFire) April 19, 2021
^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^
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